On May 10, 2019, CHSA Board Emeritus, historian and railroad worker descendant Connie Young Yu represented CHSA at the Spike 150 celebration. Her speech opened the event at Promontory Point, Utah, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad. Below we’ve rounded up press coverage of this historic event: NBC News: “Thousands gather to reclaim Chinese railroad workers’ place in history” by Chris Fuchs, May 10,2019 Digital Journal: “Chinese-American pride marks 150th anniversary of railroad” by Karen Graham, May 10, 2019 KUER.org: “The Lesser-Told Stories Of The Golden Spike: 150 Years Later” by DAYSHA EATON, JUDY FAHYS, ROCIO HERNANDEZ … [read more →]
Spike 150: Thousands travel from around the country and world … (Deseret News)
By Lauren Bennett Published: May 10, 2019 6:04 pm PROMONTORY SUMMIT, Box Elder — People from all walks of life came together Friday morning for the inaugural day of the three-day celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the driving of the golden spike. ….To kick off the ceremony, elementary-age children performed the “Chinese Lion Dance: Good Luck and Happiness,” which was met with cheers from the crowd. Connie Young Yu, author, historian, lecturer on Chinese American issues and Chinese railroad worker descendent, opened the speech portion of the ceremony, noting the erasure of an estimated 15,000 to 25,000 Chinese railroad … [read more →]
Chinese-American pride celebrated in 150th anniversary of Transcontinental Railroad (WKZO.com)
Thursday, May 09, 2019 By Terray Sylvester PROMONTORY, Utah (Reuters) – Connie Young Yu says that when her parents joined a delegation of fellow Chinese-Americans attending a 1969 event commemorating the centennial of the first U.S. Transcontinental Railroad, they were snubbed, upstaged by Hollywood star John Wayne. Now 50 years later, she and others descended from Chinese immigrants who built much of the cross-country rail line are looking forward to the 150th “Golden Spike” anniversary in Utah for rightful recognition they say is long overdue. “It’s our connection to and participation in American society,” Yu, 77, a board member of … [read more →]
Recovering an erased history: The Chinese railroad workers who helped connect the country (NBCNews)
Published April 22, 2019, 8:26 AM PDT By Chris Fuchs They thought this was their chance. May 10, 1969, marked 100 years since the golden spike was hammered in at Promontory, Utah, signifying the completion of America’s first transcontinental railroad — a monumental engineering feat that linked together the nation’s coasts. A ceremony commemorating the anniversary drew a crowd of around 20,000. Among the attendees were Philip P. Choy, president of the San Francisco-based Chinese Historical Society of America, and Thomas W. Chinn, one of its founders. Centennial officials had agreed to set aside five minutes of the ceremony for … [read more →]
CHSA Appoints Tamiko Wong as Executive Director
The Board of Directors of the Chinese Historical Society of America is pleased to announce the appointment of Tamiko Wong to the position of Executive Director, effective April 16, 2019. Jane Chin, who has been in a dual role serving on the Board and as Interim Executive Director since August 2017, will now serve as the newly elected Vice President of the Board. A San Francisco native of Chinese and Japanese descent, Tamiko is recognized throughout the Asian and Pacific Islander American community for her creative work in leading and designing programs that have promoted and supported the community for … [read more →]
Press Release: Chinese Historical Society to honor Janet Lee Chen with 2019 Phil & Sarah Choy Community Service Award
Issue Date: March 8, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Janice Lee, gala@chsa.org Women’s History Month Chinese Historical Society to honor Janet Lee Chen with 2019 Phil & Sarah Choy Community Service Award SAN FRANCISCO, California – The Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) will feature Janet Lee Chen at their gala, “The Past is Prologue: CHSA on the Move!,” on Friday, March 15, at The Hyatt Regency Embarcadero in San Francisco. She will be the recipient of CHSA’s 2019 Phil & Sarah Choy Community Service Award for her community contributions, including creating a culture of philanthropy and volunteerism. Passionate … [read more →]
Press Release: Gala to celebrate Chinese American history and progress
Issue Date: February 26, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Janice Lee, gala@chsa.org Gala to celebrate Chinese American history and progress SAN FRANCISCO, California – The Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) hosts its 2019 gala on Friday, March 15, at The Hyatt Regency Embarcadero in San Francisco. Up to 400 guests are expected to attend the benefit dinner with Master of Ceremonies Ben Fong-Torres (Rolling Stone magazine journalist, Chinese New Year Parade co-host) who will perform some of his favorite classic tunes plus his rendition of one of the most defining songs of the Summer of Love. Guests will … [read more →]
Press Release: The World Premiere of “MAYOR ED LEE”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jane Chin, Interim Executive Director, Chinese Historical Society of America / jane.chin@chsa.org / 415-391-1188 THE WORLD PREMIERE OF “MAYOR ED LEE” January 25, 2019 — On February 11, 2019, the Chinese Historical Society of America will host the World Premiere of the documentary, “MAYOR ED LEE” at San Francisco’s historic Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Avenue). VIP Tickets are $75 which include a pre-film reception and reserved seating. General admission seats are $12.50. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com/e/mayor-ed-lee-film-world-premiere-tickets-54370874750. The hour long documentary tells the inspiring story of Ed Lee’s life: from growing up in Seattle’s public … [read more →]
