Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Dr. Margaret 'Mike' Chung

19th Amendment Outdoor Museum

By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 20, 2021

1. Dr. Margaret 'Mike' Chung Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Dr. Chung advocated for the voting rights of Chinese and American women through her activism in the Woman's Auxiliary of the Chinese American League of Justice, the Chinese Protective Association, and the Chinese Women's Reform Club.

Dr. Chung, with her slicked-back hair, black tailored suit, hat, and cane, attracted much attention in early twentieth-century California. Chung, or "Mike” as she preferred to be called by friends, not only broke down barriers as a pioneering Chinese-American woman physician (the first in the country), but also brazenly knocked down gender norms through her clothing and affinity for behaviors that were considered unladylike at the time, such as drinking, gambling, and swearing.

Erected 2020 by Maren Conrad.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Civil Rights • Science & Medicine • Women. In addition, it is included in the Women's Suffrage 🗳️ series list.

Location. 38° 34.544′

Dr. Margaret 'Mike' Chung Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 20, 2021

2. Dr. Margaret 'Mike' Chung Marker - wide view

Click or scan to see
this page online

N, 121° 28.898′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. Marker is at the intersection of 19th Street and K Street, on the right when traveling north on 19th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1900 K Street, Sacramento CA 95811, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Laura de Force Gordon (here, next to this marker); Mabel Ping-Hua Lee (here, next to this marker); Julie Soderlund (here, next to this marker); Maria Guadalupe Evangelina de Lopez (here, next to this marker); Jeannette Rankin (a few steps from this marker); Naomi Anderson (a few steps from this marker); Jovita Idár (a few steps from this marker); Sara Plummer Lemmon (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

More about this marker. This is one of nineteen markers that comprise the 19th Amendment Outdoor museum, erected in 2020 as part of the "I Vote" project, honoring suffragettes and their work.

Also see . . .
1. Margaret Chung (Wikipedia). "Margaret Jessie Chung (Chinese: 張瑪珠, October 2, 1889 – January 5, 1959), born in Santa Barbara, California, was the first known American-born Chinese female physician. After graduating from the University of Southern California Medical School in 1916 and completing her internship and residency in Illinois, she established one of the first Western medical clinics in San Francisco's Chinatown in the early 1920s." (Submitted on April 22, 2021.)

2. Dr. Margaret "Mom" Chung (US National Parks Service). "Dr. Margaret “Mom”

<i>Portrait of Dr. Margaret J. Chung </i> image. Click for full size.

Kee Coleman (courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library, "Shades of LA" Archive), circa 1930

3. Portrait of Dr. Margaret J. Chung

This is the source for the marker photo.

Chung was the first Chinese American woman to become a physician. She founded one of the first Western medical clinics in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the 1920s. During World War II, she and her widespread network of “adopted sons,” most of them American soldiers, sailors, and airmen who called her “Mom,” became famous. Dr. Chung hosted her “sons” and their guests—including movie stars, politicians, and top military brass—at large weekly dinners in her San Francisco home. Dr. Chung used her influence to support the Allied war effort. She lobbied for the creation of the WAVES, the U.S. Naval Women’s Reserve. Although she faced prejudice because of her race, gender, and sexuality, Dr. Chung forged a distinctive path for herself throughout her life." (Submitted on April 22, 2021.)

3. Dr. Margaret Chung’s Secret Identity (Lo & Behold). A short article considering Dr. Chung's sexual orientation. (Submitted on April 22, 2021.)

4. The First American-Born Chinese Woman Doctor | Unladylike2020 | PBS (YouTube, 11 min.). (Submitted on April 22, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 51 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California.