New York Archives Magazine x Museum of Chinese in America

Every attendee will receive a copy of the latest issue of New York Archives Magazine which features the article on Chinese American Women Pioneers: Theodora Chan Wang and Virginia Kee.

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Join us for a dynamic panel discussion inspired by the New York Archives Magazine article “Chinese American Women Pioneers: Theodora Chan Wang and Virginia Kee.” Together, we’ll explore the powerful legacies of these groundbreaking women—from advancing education and social services in Chinatown to breaking political barriers across New York City.

We’re honored to welcome Virginia Kee herself, alongside fellow trailblazer May Ying Chen, for a conversation on civic engagement, activism, and the enduring strength of community leadership. Panelists will also reflect on the importance of archives in preserving these often-overlooked stories.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with others passionate about history, activism, and the contributions of Chinese American women.

Virginia Kee has been a longtime teacher at Junior High School 65 and co-founded the Chinatown Planning Council (CPC) with other Chinese American professionals in 1965 to provide much needed programs and resources for Chinese immigrant youth and families. Today, CPC has grown to become one of the city’s and nation’s largest Asian American social service organizations. Kee has also been a trailblazer in Chinatown and New York Democratic politics, founding the United Democratic Organization to register and mobilize Chinese American voters and becoming one of the first Chinese Americans in New York to achieve elected office. In 1974, Kee was appointed to Manhattan Community Board 3. In 1976, she was elected as delegate to the Democratic First Judicial District Convention, and in 1978, she was elected to the New York Democratic State Committee. In 1985, she made a historic run for New York City Council. Though she lost, her campaign helped platform Chinatown and Chinese American issues, and her pathbreaking example and advocacy has continued to inspire later generations of Asian Americans in politics.

May Ying Chen devoted a long career to NYC’s garment workers. Until her retirement in 2009, she was Manager of Local 23-25 Workers United (formerly ILGWU) and Vice President of the International Union–working on union contracts, worker benefits, worker education programs and political action campaigns. She has lived in Manhattan’s Lower East Side with her family since 1980. As a retiree, she continues to support projects related to organizing and educating workers with CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, LaborArts, Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition, Tenement Museum, Museum of Chinese in America, and The W.O.W. (Wing on Wo) Project.