Lake View East in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Dr. Margaret "Mom" Chung

The Legacy Walk

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 26, 2021

1. Dr. Margaret "Mom" Chung Marker

Inscription.
Dr. Margaret "Mom" Chung
(Chinese-American Physician)
(1889 - 1959)

Born in Santa Barbara, California, Dr. Chung was the first known American-born Chinese woman to become a physician. After completing her internship and residency in Chicago and Kankakee, Illinois, she established one of the first Western medical clinics in San Francisco's Chinatown in the 1920s. Chung achieved fame during the 1930s and 40s for her patriotic activities on behalf of China and the United States. Known as “Mom Chung,” she “adopted” over a thousand U.S. troops – dubbed the “Fair-Haired Bastards” – who pledged their fealty for her commitment to their well-being. Renowned for her hospitality and generosity, she sent care packages to the troops and hosted weekly Sunday suppers in her modestly-sized home in San Francisco where regular soldiers mingled with the likes of John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Tennessee Williams, Helen Hayes, and Tallulah Bankhead, along with politicians, and the military’s top brass – all bound to each other through their mutual affection for Chung and their common dedication to the Allied Cause. Chung used her considerable

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war-time celebrity to lobby for the creation of the WAVES – the U.S. women's naval reserve – but was never given public credit for the achievement nor was she permitted to join the WAVES, due to age, race, and suspected lesbianism. Described as a serious, commanding, almost regal person, Chung nevertheless had a bawdy sense of humor. Reinventing herself at will, she routinely flouted convention by adopting both hyper-masculine and Hollywood glamour personas, while also managing to guard her privacy in spite of her intimate relationships with lesbian poetess Elsa Gidlow and entertainer Sophie Tucker. A larger-than-life personality to the end, when Margaret Chung died in 1959 her pallbearers included Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, famed conductor Andre Kostelanetz and San Francisco Mayor George Christopher. Few civilian patriots have ever again achieved the level of celebrity and influence that was accorded to Dr. Margaret Chung.

Erected 2012 by The Legacy Project.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Science & Medicine • Women. In addition, it is included in the

Dr. Margaret "Mom" Chung Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 26, 2021

2. Dr. Margaret "Mom" Chung Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here mounted to the rainbow pylon that it shares with the marker for Babe Zaharias.

The Legacy Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 41° 56.652′ N, 87° 38.969′ W. Marker was in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It was in Lake View East. It was on North Halsted Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3418 North Halsted Street, Chicago IL 60657, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the American Midwest.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Legacy of Matthew Shepard (here, next to this marker); Pauli Murray (here, next to this marker); Vito Russo (a few steps from this marker);

<i>Portrait of Dr. Margaret J. Chung</i> (marker photo source) image. Click for full size.

Kee Coleman (courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library), circa 1930

3. Portrait of Dr. Margaret J. Chung (marker photo source)

"Portrait of Dr. Margaret J. Chung, the first Chinese American woman physician in Southern California. She graduated from the University of Southern California and worked for the State of Illinois beginning in 1917." - Los Angeles Public Library

Billy Strayhorn (a few steps from this marker); Newport Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Stonewall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Harvey Milk (about 300 feet away); Frank Kameny (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Another marker is no longer nearby. "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This marker was retired in October, 2021 and replaced by a marker for Pauli Murray.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Dr. Margaret "Mom" Chung (National Park Service). (Submitted on October 31, 2021.)
2. The First American-Born Chinese Woman Doctor | Unladylike2020 | American Masters (YouTube, 11 min.). (Submitted on October 31, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 743 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.