Chinese Suffragette

 Mabel Ping Hua Lee was an advocate for women’s rights.  She encouraged education and civic participation of Chinese women of all ages.  Her efforts in support of the suffrage movement were very important to the passage of the 19th amendment and are often not recognized by the textbooks.  She helped organize the suffrage parade (May 4th, 1912) in New York City which drew thousands of supporters.  In addition, she wrote persuasive articles stressing the importance of voting rights and equal opportunities for women that were read by thousands.  Last, it is important to point out that she was NOT granted the right to vote until the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943.  Her efforts to ensure women’s rights were historic and the fact that she was unable to vote until 1943 is very upsetting.