Chinese American women's suffrage in Oregon

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Initial Phase[]

In 1912, in response to the suffrage movements in China, the United States, and the Pacific Northwest, Chinese American women in Portland established an equal suffrage society with Dr. (Mrs. S. K.) Chan as its president.[1] They were responsible for mobilizing Portland's Chinese neighborhoods during Oregon's suffrage movement.[2] At the time, however, Chinese immigrants weren't allowed to become naturalized citizens[3] and were intentionally denied the right of suffrage in the Oregon Constitution.[4]

1912 and Mrs. S.K. Chan[]

On April 11, 1912, seven Portland Chinese women, among them Mrs. S.K. Chan, attended a banquet in honor of La Reine Helen Baker at the Portland Hotel as part of 150 equal suffrage workers.[5][6] As noted in a news article from the Oregonian published on April 12, 1912, “The presence of the Chinese women at a banquet with white women is unique.”[5][6] Mrs. S.K. Chan gave a notable speech that was translated by her daughter Bertie during the course of the dinner.[6][5]

Importance[]

The suffrage movements that were happening in China at the time were important to the development of the Chinese American suffrage movements in Portland as they drew international attention.[1] Mrs. S.K. Chan also references the suffrage movements in China during her speech at the 1912 suffrage banquet in honor of La Reine Helen Baker.[5][6][7]

Mrs. S. K. Chan (who was also referred to as Mrs. Chan, Mrs. Dr. Chan, Dr. Chan, and Dr. S. K. Chan) was a Chinese doctor (specifically, an herbalist) who practiced in Portland, Oregon.[8] She worked for the Chinese Medicine Company before striking out on her own in 1907. Mrs. S. K. Chan was married to Methodist Reverend Chan Sinh Kai (also known as Dr. S. K. Chan).[8] They had at least four daughters, Miss Bertie G. Chan, Miss Lillian Chan, Fannie Chan, and Mary Chan.[5][6][8][9]

In 1927, Oregon Constitution Article II, Section 6 was repealed,[10] thus granting suffrage to anyone considered Chinese. In 1943, Congress repealed all Chinese exclusion laws, thus allowing Chinese immigrants the right to become naturalized citizens of the US.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Jensen, Kimberly (2007). "Neither Head nor Tail to the Campaign: Esther Pohl Lovejoy and the Oregon Woman Suffrage Victory of 1912". Oregon Historical Quarterly. 108 (3): 366–367.
  2. ^ "Woman Suffrage in the West (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  3. ^ a b "Timeline". bancroft.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  4. ^ Original Constitution of the State of Oregon. 1857. p. 11.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Chinese Women Dine With White". Oregonian. April 12, 1912. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e "College Equal Suffragists, Chinese Women Dine Together". Oregon Journal. April 12, 1912. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "Documents Project". centuryofaction.org. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  8. ^ a b c Shelton, Tamara Venit (2019). Herbs and Roots: A History of Chinese Doctors in the American Medical Marketplace. Yale University Press. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-0-300-24361-1.
  9. ^ "Will Teach In New Chinese Government". The Oregon Daily Journal. Oct 9, 1912.
  10. ^ Linde, Hans A. (2008). "What Is a Constitution, What is Not, and Why Does It Matter?". Oregon Law Review. 87 (3): 719.
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