Sue Lee Retires as Head of Chinese Historical Society
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Sue Lee Retires as Head of Chinese Historical Society
Oversaw extraordinary growth in 13 years at the helm
8 May 2017 – San Francisco, CA: The Chinese Historical Society of America (www.chsa.org) has announced the retirement of its long-time executive director, Sue Lee. After serving nearly thirteen years in that position, she will be retiring effective June 30, 2017.
“It has been a privilege and honor to have worked with trailblazing historians like Phil Choy and Him Mark Lai who helped to establish the field of study and who worked to assure Chinese America’s rightful place in the overall American historical narrative,” said Lee in a statement. “Plus, last year’s acquisition and installation of the Chinese America: Exclusion/Inclusion exhibition has been a transformational highlight of my time at the Chinese Historical Society of America. I leave at a time of great potential for CHSA and a time of personal growth for myself.”
Over the course of her tenure, Lee highlighted historic milestones by launching the "Remembering 1882" traveling exhibit which focused on the Chinese Exclusion Act, and garnered recognition for the Chinese workers of the Transcontinental Railroad by the Department of Labor. She added to the CHSA collections by recovering the Jake Lee watercolor paintings, acquired the collection of miniatures created by Frank Wong. Lee fostered partnerships with a wide range of organizations ranging from the California Historical Society to Stanford University — expanding the audience and attendance at CHSA beyond its traditional Chinatown roots.
“It will be hard to imagine CHSA without Sue Lee at its helm,” said Hoyt Zia, CHSA’s board president. “However, as much as we will miss her, Sue has certainly earned a rest. Change is always difficult, but with it comes the opportunity to take the organization to the next level. CHSA will be commencing the search for a new executive director very shortly.”
About Chinese Historical Society of America:
The Chinese Historical Society of America is the oldest organization in the country dedicated to the interpretation, promotion, and preservation of the social, cultural and political history and contributions of the Chinese in America. CHSA pursues this mission through exhibitions, publications, and educational and public programs in the CHSA Museum and Learning Center, a landmark Julia Morgan-designed building (formerly the Chinatown YWCA) located at 965 Clay Street, San Francisco.