S. K. Chan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Picture of S.K. Chan

Dr. S.K. Chan was the President of the Chinese American Equal Suffrage Society in Portland, Oregon.[1]

Suffrage activism[edit]

On April 11,1912, Dr. S.K. Chan acted in response to woman suffrage movements occurring in China, the United States, and other Pacific Northwest countries. She and seven Portland Chinese women attended a banquet in honor of La Reine Helen Baker, a magazine writer and author, at the Portland Hotel as part of 150 equal suffrage workers.[2][3]

Along with Dr. S.K. Chan, the other six Chinese women involved were her two daughters, Bertie and Fannie Chan; Mrs. Ng Tong; Tong's two daughters, Ida and Beulah Tong; and Mrs. Herbert Low.[2][3][4]

The Oregon Newspaper, The Oregonian, reported on the event on April 12, 1912, describing that, "The presence of the Chinese women at a banquet with white women is unique."[2][3]

During the course of the banquet, Dr. S.K. Chan addressed the other women and made a speech voicing her belief on women's rights and political equality with men. Speaking in her native tongue, her speech was interpreted by one of her daughters, Bertie Chan.[2][3]

Group Picture of Chinese Women Banquet Participants and Mrs. La Reine Helen Baker


References[edit]

  1. ^ "Who Was Left Out of the Story?". National Museum of American History. 2020-03-02. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  2. ^ a b c d "Documents Project". centuryofaction.org. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  3. ^ a b c d "News Articles". centuryofaction.org. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  4. ^ "News Articles". centuryofaction.org. Retrieved 2021-04-16.