Clara Elizabeth Chan Lee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clara Elizabeth Chan Lee
Born	October 21, 1886 Portland, Oregon
Died	October 5, 1993 Alameda, California

Clara Elizabeth Chan Lee (born October 21, 1886 – died October 5, 1993) was a truly special person. She made history by becoming the very first Chinese American woman to officially sign up to vote in the United States.

She registered to vote on November 8, 1911, in California. This happened after a new rule called Proposition 4 was passed in California. This was a big deal because it was nine years before the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution gave all women across the country the right to vote!

Making a Difference: Clara's Political Work

Clara Lee officially registered to vote at the Alameda County courthouse on November 8, 1911. This was a huge step for women's rights and for Chinese Americans.

Clara Elizabeth Chan Lee registering to vote in 1911. She is with Emma Tom Leung (on the left), while their husbands stand behind them.

Clara was also a founder of an important group called the Chinese Women's Jeleab (self reliance) Association. This group was started in 1913. The word "Jeleab" means "self-reliance," and the association worked hard to support women's rights in both the U.S. and China. She was also a member of other community groups like the YWCA and the Fidelis Coterie club.

Clara's Life Story

Clara Elizabeth Chan was born on October 21, 1886, in Portland, Oregon. Her parents were Reverend Chan Hon Fun and Ow Muck Gay. Her father, Reverend Chan Hon Fun, was a Methodist pastor. He led the Chinese Community Methodist Church of Oakland in Oakland Chinatown from 1900 to 1909.

Clara Lee married Charles Goodall Lee. He was also a trailblazer, as he was the first licensed Chinese American dentist in the United States. Clara Elizabeth Chan Lee lived a long and impactful life. She passed away on October 5, 1993, in Alameda, California. She is buried in Oakland.