Born: 1896 (Guangzhou, China)
Biography:
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee was a Chinese-American women’s rights activist and minister who campaigned for women’s suffrage in the United States. Born on October 7, 1896, in Guangzhou, China, Lee was raised in New York City. Her father, Lee To or Lee Towe, was a minister who emigrated to the United States and worked in the American Baptist Home Mission Society. He played a prominent role in New York’s Chinatown.
Lee received her education at a missionary school in China, where she learned English. She spent her early childhood in China, being raised by her mother and grandmother while her father was in America. In 1900, at the age of four, she traveled with her mother to America to reunite with her father. This early experience of living between two cultures would shape her activism later in life.
Lee’s education continued in the United States, and she excelled academically. She attended Barnard College of Columbia University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In 1921, she achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Chinese woman in the United States to earn a doctorate in economics from Columbia University. Her educational achievements opened doors for her to become a pioneer in advocating for women’s rights.
In the early 1910s, Lee became actively involved in the women’s suffrage movement. She joined the cause and participated in the historic 1912 New York City women’s suffrage parade. To make a bold statement, she rode on horseback alongside other suffragists, drawing attention to the fight for women’s right to vote. Lee’s boldness and determination inspired many others and established her as a prominent figure in the suffrage movement.
Despite the eventual passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote, Lee was still unable to exercise this right due to her status as a Chinese immigrant, as stipulated by the Chinese Exclusion Act. It wasn’t until the Magnuson Act was passed in 1943 that she gained the right to vote. Lee’s personal struggles and perseverance through discrimination and injustice exemplify her unwavering commitment to equality and justice.
In 1924, Lee became a Baptist minister, taking over her father’s church, the First Chinese Baptist Church in Chinatown, following his death. For the next forty years, she dedicated herself to running the church and became a respected community leader. During her tenure, she also became a prominent figure within the American Baptist Home Mission Society, further solidifying her influence as a leader and advocate for Chinese immigrants and women.
Lee’s dedication extended beyond her role as a minister. She actively engaged with the Chinese Community Center and tirelessly advocated for the rights and welfare of the Chinese community in New York, particularly the residents of Chinatown. Her efforts greatly impacted the lives of many Chinese immigrants, providing them with a voice and support.
In recognition of her lifelong commitment to women’s rights and her advocacy for Chinese immigrants in the United States, the Chinatown U.S. Post Office on Doyers Street was renamed in her honor in 2017. The renaming serves as a testament to Lee’s significant contributions and enduring legacy.
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee’s life and work exemplify the strength and resilience of women who fought for equality and justice. Her bold and pioneering spirit inspires generations to continue the fight for a more inclusive and fair society.