Chinese American hailed for historical preservation

Gerrye Wong, a fourth-generation Chinese American and retired elementary school teacher, has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing the often-overlooked history of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. After 60 years of tireless volunteer work, Wong, 91, is being recognized for her extraordinary efforts in promoting her community's history.

The American Association for State and Local History has selected Wong to receive the 2024 Award of Excellence for Individual Lifetime Achievement. The prestigious honor acknowledges her decades of work in preserving and sharing Chinese American history in California. The award will be presented on Friday in Mobile, Alabama.

"In my own role as an educator and retired volunteer proponent advocating for more awareness of our many Chinese American contributions to America's history and progress, I am proud of whatever small part I have played in preserving and promoting it," Wong told China Daily.

The importance of Wong's work was underscored by John Dichtl, president and CEO of the American Association for State and Local History, who said in a statement to China Daily, "Understanding Chinese American history is an important part of understanding America's struggle to become a 'more perfect union' as mentioned in the U.S. Constitution.

"Grappling with these varied stories and seeing how they fit and sometimes change the national narrative helps people to develop their critical thinking, strengthens local identity, and encourages civic engagement," he said.

Wong's journey began in San Jose, California, where she grew up as the only Chinese student in a predominantly white community. She recalled feeling out of place, saying, "I knew I looked different, so I didn't want to be Chinese." This early experience would later fuel her passion for promoting Chinese American history and culture.

Her commitment took root during her 30-year career as an elementary school teacher. Noticing the absence of Chinese culture and history in textbooks, she took it upon herself to introduce elements of Chinese heritage to her students in the Oakland and Moreland school districts. This initiative marked the beginning of her journey as an advocate for cultural awareness and historical preservation.

After retirement, Wong co-founded the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project in 1987, a pivotal moment in her mission to highlight Chinese contributions to the Santa Clara Valley in California. The organization's crowning achievement came in 1991 with the opening of the Chinese American Historical Museum in the San Jose History Park. "The museum was gifted to the city as a token of Chinese friendship," she said. "It is hoped that through the museum many have learned of the contributions Chinese communities and individuals have made to the history of Santa Clara Valley."

The museum has received thousands of adults and schoolchildren in its more than 30 years of existence, Wong said. Besides operating the museum, the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project has sponsored publications, events, seminars and documentaries to advance Asian American interests throughout the Silicon Valley region.

Throughout her career, Wong has worn many hats, as an educator, writer, historian and community leader. She has co-authored two books — Eternal Spirit and Chinese in San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley — both of which chronicle the experiences of Chinese immigrants and their descendants in the United States.

Wong said she has witnessed significant progress in the awareness of Chinese American history over the past decades.

"Since the 1980s, colleges all over the nation have included Asian American studies in their curriculum; many books have been written about the Chinese experience in America; theater productions and documentary films have told about past and present Chinese experiences and contributions, so there has definitely been progress in bringing awareness of Chinese American history and culture in the past half century," she said.

But she emphasized that there is still much work to be done, particularly in addressing the historical mistreatment of Chinese immigrants. In 2021, she played a crucial role in helping San Jose adopt a public resolution seeking apology for discrimination inflicted on early Chinese settlers, making it the second U.S. city to take such a step.

The resolution acknowledged the harsh realities faced by early Chinese immigrants, including the destruction of Chinatown by arsonists in 1887 after the City Council declared it a public nuisance.