AAPI Women in Activism
Grace Lee Boggs
1915–2015
“A revolution that is based on the people exercising their creativity in the midst of devastation is one of the great historical contributions of humankind.”
Grace Lee Boggs was a prominent writer heavily involved in the Black Power, feminist, and civil rights movements. As a victim of anti-Asian sentiment, Boggs struggled to secure a stable job and adequate housing. She related to the struggles of protesters against poor living conditions who first introduced her to activism in Black communities. When she met her husband James Boggs, she would get more involved in Detroit’s Black Power movement, together speaking at public events and publishing books like 1974's Revolution and Evolution in the Twentieth Century.
They quickly became known for their writing and involvement in the Detroit communities, tackling issues in racism and civil rights, as well as working and living conditions. Her legacy holds extremely valuable. During her time as a prominent leader in the Detroit Black Power movement—a time where many women could not get their voices heard—she inspired many and acted on her words to produce significant results. In 1999, Boggs was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
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Kazu Iijima
1918–2007
“We must create an Asian American perspective of the Vietnam War”
Kazu Iijima was a Japanese American activist who was a victim of racism throughout her life and was subject to Japanese incarceration during WW2. She co-founded Asian Americans for Action with Minn Matsuda, a group that became part of the larger Asian American Movement in the 1960s, which addressed racism and created a safe space for Asian Americans to form solidarity. This movement is extremely important in the history of Asian Americans because it was the first group to identify itself as pan-Asian, helping promote Asian solidarity throughout America.
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Yuri Kochiyama
1921–2014
“So, transform yourself first... because you are young and have dreams and want to do something meaningful, that in itself, makes you our future and our hope. Keep expanding your horizon, decolonize your mind, and cross borders.”
Yuri Kochiyama was an activist who dedicated her life to fighting for social justice and human rights. She was active in the fight for reparations for survivors of Japanese Americans affected by the incarcerations during WW2 and was heavily involved in the empowerment movements of Asian Americans, African Americans, and Puerto Ricans. Her involvement in these movements, demonstrations, and protests has inspired countless generations of activists and has helped to establish Asian American Studies and Ethnic Studies in colleges and universities. Kochiyama was nominated for the Nobel Peace prize in 2005 for her outstanding dedication to social rights.
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Mabel Ping-Hua Lee
1896 –1966
“[Woman suffrage] is nothing more than a wider application of our ideas of justice and equality.”
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee has achieved many impressive firsts in American history for her activism in her community. She was known for her involvement in the Suffragist movement in the 1910’s. She helped lead a parade of over 10,000 people in New York, attracting the attention of major newspapers, and she continued to fight for these movements even when acts like the 19th Amendment excluded women of color. Throughout her journey in activism, she continued her education and received a master’s degree in educational administration. She became the first Chinese American woman to receive a PhD in economics.
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Mary Tape
1857–1934
“We have always lived as Americans.”
Mary Tape is one of the earliest Asian American activists, fighting for equality in school systems during the mid-1800’s. She lived as a middle-class American in San Francisco with her husband and four children and advocated for her children's education. She enrolled her 8-year-old daughter, Mamie Tape, at Spring Valley Primary School, but was denied at the door because she was Chinese. In the case, Tape v. Hurley, she sued the principal and the San Francisco Board of Education as a violation of the 14th Amendment. The California Supreme Court sided with her argument, however, the school board insisted on denying Mamie, justifying their response by creating a "separate but equal" school for children of Asian descent. Tape's famous response brings to light the underlying racism of this decision. Despite the injustices of this case, it marked the beginning of advocacy for Asian American rights.
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