GENERAL NEWS
2025 Miss Chinatown USA
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sidney Yee Siu, Miss Chinatown USA 2025 and her court. Their dedication, poise and passion for representing the Chinese American community are truly commendable. Since the inception in 1948, the Miss Chinatown pageant has celebrated cultural heritage, leadership, and the empowerment of young women, serving as a proud tradition that units and inspires generations.
Past National Presidents Davace Chin and Melanie Chan present a gum pai to Third Princess Teresa So, from Sugarland, TX sponsored by C.A.C.A. Houston Lodge and Angela He, from Wellesley, MA sponsored by C.A.C.A. Boston Lodge.
San Francisco Lodge President Sherman Tang and Vice President Joanna Tom congratulates Miss Chinatown USA and her court.
San Francisco Lodge President, Sherman Tang, Appointed to Chinese Hospital Board
Congratulations to San Francisco Lodge President for his appointment to the Chinese Hospital Board of Directors representing Chinese American Citizens Alliance.
When the Chinese settled in San Francisco in the 1800’s, discrimination prevented them from accessing basic rights such as healthcare. Ironically, Chinese immigrants were required to pay a hospital tax upon arrival to San Francisco but were denied access to healthcare. Chinatown was often perceived by the non-Chinese community as unsanitary and source for various diseases. Even with the bubonic plague epidemic at the turn of the century, Chinatown was isolated and quarantined instead of providing medical care to the residents.
In 1899 the Tung Wah Dispensary opened its doors at Sacramento Street becoming the first Western medicine hospital in San Francisco to serve the Chinatown community providing both Western and Eastern style medicine. . Staffed by Christian missionaries, western physician volunteers and traditional Chinese physicians, medical care was provided to Chinese residents, unfortunately the hospital was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. The hospital was rebuilt on 14 Trenton Way, however it was recognized that needed services would quickly outgrow the facility . In 1923 Chinese American Citizen Alliance was one of fifteen community organization that created the Chinese Hospital Association. The fifteen founding members of the Board of Trustees raised funds for the construction of the new facility at 835 Jackson Street. This new hospital facility contained 60 acute beds and open its doors on April 18th, 1925. A hospital Board was also created which included a representative from each of the organizations . To this day, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance continues to have a representative on the Chinese Hospital Board of Trustee. With the gradual acceptance of Western medicine by the Chinese community, Chinese Hospital become a major center of service to the Chinese community.
In the mid-1970, the hospital facility at 835 Jackson Street become out dated and a new facility was needed. Chinese American Citizen’s Alliance with the other Board of Trustees conducted extensive fund raising and received Hill Burton funding. This allow the construction of a new 59 bed facility at 845 Jackson Street. This new facility opened its doors on September 29, 1979. Today, the hospital provides comprehensive culturally competent healthcare to the community. It hopes to continue its mission with the construction of the proposed new hospital facility on Jackson Street.