Herstory in America Public Forum: Chinese Immigrant Women and the Making of American Society

Oct 7, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm
University Library - Room 251

Join scholars, community leaders, and distinguished Chinese American women for a thought-provoking public forum exploring the histories, experiences, and enduring contributions of Chinese immigrant women to American society. Presented in conjunction with the Herstory in America exhibition, and in commemoration of the nation's 250th anniversary, the forum will examine immigration, identity, representation, and civic participation while fostering dialogue on inclusion, belonging, and the diverse voices that have shaped the American experience. Audience will have the opportunity to engage with the panel through a moderated Q&A.

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Panelists:

Dr. Chang C. Chen, Herstory Exhibition Curator

Dr. Chang C. Chen is a California attorney, legal historian, author, and founder of the Chinese American Historians Society. She is the author of the three-volume Herstory series, the first comprehensive study tracing the legal history of Chinese American women from 1852 through 2024. Her traveling Herstory exhibitions have appeared at more than 80 libraries and universities throughout the United States and Taiwan. Her books are permanently preserved by the Library of Congress, Harvard-Yenching Library, and other major research institutions. In 2026, she received the Trailblazer Award for Legal Justice from the AAPI History Museum in recognition of her pioneering scholarship and public advocacy.

Dr. Gay Yuen, Founder, Chinese American Museum (Los Angeles); featured in the Herstory in America exhibition

Dr. Gay Q. Yuen has been a leader in the field of education for more than four decades. She received her Ph.D. in Education, majoring in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Language Literacy and Learning from the University of Southern California (USC), her Master in Arts in bilingual education at Cal State LA (CSULA) and a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).  At CSULA, she served as chair for the Division of Curriculum and Instruction and oversaw the teacher credentialing programs for elementary/secondary education and graduate education.

Throughout her professional life, she has had a singular focus: educational equity and inclusion through the promotion of bilingual education. Dr. Yuen has worked for the inclusion of minority and immigrant education in California and throughout the U.S. Prior to her work in higher education and educational policy, she was a teacher and coordinator for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and an administrator for the Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD). She established California standards for the certification of bilingual teachers in all languages and established ESL standards for immigrant students in the public schools. She has received invitations from the governments of the People’s Republic of China, Korea, Republic of China (Taiwan), Singapore, and Saudi Arabia to assist in their minority education programs, policies, and practices. Dr. Yuen also guided immigrant parents toward understanding their rights and responsibilities in the American school system. Dr. Yuen received the USC AAPI Alumni Association’s Leadership Award and was named a “Local Hero” by KCET Television for her work in education, women’s rights, and social justice. 

Dr. Edith Chen, Department of Asian American Studies Faculty

Trained as a sociologist, Dr. Chen's teaching and research interests include Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, immigration, and health, with a focus on type II diabetes and obesity. She is one of the Principal Investigators for a pilot project that examines the links between acculturation, assimilation, and type 2 diabetes and obesity in Asian American populations in California, using data from the California Health Interview Survey.

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Assistive Services

Requests for accommodation services (e.g. sign language interpreters or transcribers) must be made at least five (5) business days in advance. Please email library.event@csun.edu in advance of the event.