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Megan Brady: A Legacy of Compassion and Courage

In the winter of 1937, during a dark period for China, Richard Brady, an American surgeon based in Nanjing, played a pivotal role in protecting civilians as Japanese forces invaded. This invasion, which began on December 13, led to the Nanjing Massacre, a horrific event that saw widespread atrocities resulting in over 300,000 deaths.

Years later, his great-granddaughter, Megan Brady, is ensuring that the legacy of her ancestor's compassion and bravery continues to resonate. She recently visited Nanjing to understand her family's past and to share her story through music.

Megan recalls little about her great-grandfather during her childhood, but everything changed during a visit to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing, where she first saw his photograph alongside his wife and son. This moment became a catalyst for her mission. "Seeing his pictures and hearing about his work made me realize the kind of person he was, and the type of person he would want me to be," she reflected. Megan strives to spread awareness about the International Committee for the Nanjing Safety Zone, which played a critical role during the massacre.

The narratives of the massacre survivors are dwindling, and Megan understands the urgency of preserving their testimonies. "It's up to the younger generations to continue to speak their truths and give them a voice beyond their time," she said. In August, she was recognized as one of the latest inheritors of historical memory related to the Nanjing Massacre, an initiative that honors descendants of survivors and individuals who contributed to documenting this tragedy.

Megan feels the weight of her responsibilities as a historical memory inheritor. As she accepted her certificate, she emphasized, "I will carry forward my ancestors' legacy of compassion and courage. I hope we can all build a world that cherishes peace and remembers our history."

Pivotal to her storytelling is her song, "Mercy," which she wrote inspired by her grandfather’s courage and those like Minnie Vautrin, who also provided refuge during the massacre. The lyrics reflect her understanding of the victims' suffering and illustrate her deep empathy for their plight. Performing this song at the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims in 2019 was a personal milestone, allowing her to add her voice to the multitude remembering this tragic event.

Her commitment to honoring the past doesn’t end with music. Megan seeks innovative ways to share the history of the Nanjing Massacre, hoping to reach and educate new audiences. Her belief is that even the smallest gestures of kindness, be it through music or personal interactions, can create ripples of positive change across the world.

As Nanjing becomes a recurring destination for her family, the Drum Tower Hospital holds a place of significant emotional resonance. Each visit not only strengthens their familial bonds but also deepens their understanding of the tragic history. Megan reflects on her growth, stating, "The more I learn during each visit, the more I realize I am embracing a narrative bigger than myself."

In a world filled with turmoil, her story serves as a reminder of the impact of individual actions and the importance of history in shaping a more compassionate future. Megan Brady stands as a testament to the enduring power of legacy and the necessity of peace.