Abstract This oral history, conducted in Cantonese with Alice Yip, was part of a greater effort by MOCA to research and record the history of Chinese Americans in the garment industry and was possibly conducted as part of MOCA’s research for its 1989 exhibition, “Both Sides of the Cloth.” Alice Yip, who grew up in Hong Kong, immigrated to the Netherlands in 1970 and then to the United States in 1976. She went to work immediately in the garment industry in New York Chinatown the day after arriving....

Abstract Lana Cheung emigrated with her husband from Hong Kong to the United States in 1987. Shortly after her arrival to New York, she remembers being initially surprised by the differences between Chinatown and Hong Kong, particularly in the contrasting architecture and combined residential and commercial areas. Cheung considers Chinatown a safe harbor for Chinese immigrants, where they had a sense of security and could speak their native language. Cheung was employed by a Jewish import...

Abstract Harriet Tung, the grand daughter of Lt. General Ying Hsing Wen, discusses life of her grandfather life and his lasting legacy. Lt. Gen. Ying Tsing Wen (b. 1887), MOCA 2018 Legacy Awards Gala honoree, enriched the U.S. China relationship as a critical time given what seemed to be irreparable damage caused by the Boxer Rebellion. After becoming the first Asian graduate of West Point Military Academy in 1909, he returned to China and served in military and civilian positions in the Republican...

Abstract Long-time MOCA supporter and board member June Jee talks about her grandparents and her early life growing up in Hong Kong. After moving to the US in 1964 she discusses growing up in New York’s Chinatown and her family life in the US. She explores instances of racism and her brushes with the Chinatown gangs. She also talks about her career working at Verizon and her community engagement efforts. The conversation is concluded with her discussing her philanthropic efforts and how she sees the...

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Margaret Lam, MOCA 8th Annual Celebration of Community Heroes Honoree in 2019, distinguished philanthropist and Vice President of the New Jersey Chinese-American Chamber of Commerce. Margaret talks about growing up in Hong Kong and her journey to the US. She goes on to discuss her assimilation into American culture and how she went about bringing together the NJ Chinese community.

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Nancy C. Lee, JP, distinguished arts and education philanthropist. MOCA 2018 Legacy Awards Gala honoree, Chairman of the non-profit organization Friends of the Hong Kong Museum of art, discusses her life journey to become an arts historian. She recounts her family journey that spanned from China to Latin American, the US, and finally Hong Kong. She also discusses the importance of art and philanthropy.

Abstract Tzi Ma, pioneering actor whose stage/TV/film performances have delighted audiences worldwide, challenged Hollywood stereotypes and broken down barriers for Asian American/Pacific Islanders. MOCA 2019 Legacy Awards Gala honoree, talks about growing up on Staten Island and working in his parent’s restaurant. He goes on to discuss how he got into theater during grade school and how it drove his acting career. The conversation progresses to his acts of activism during his teens and his...