Today we honor Mae Yih, born born Chih Feng Dunn May 24, 1928. Mae was the first Chinese American to serve in a state senate in the United States. She held office from 1977-2003, and is a former member of both houses of the legislature of Oregon. Mae was born in Shanghai, moved to New York and graduated from both Barnard College and Columbia University, she then moved to Albany Oregon in 1956 and was friends and colleagues with my husband’s mother (they met while working with youth in Oregon). Mae served on two school boards for over 10 years and spent much of her time and efforts working toward helping children.
Her career in politics blossomed when she was asked to run for Oregon State House in 1976 and won over a 14-year incumbent. She spent much of her career focused on job creation, supporting drug and alcohol treatment programs, minimizing teen pregnancy, joining local covered bridge saving efforts, supporting the needs of children and families in Oregon and so much more. Thank you Mae Yih (Chih Feng Dunn) for your inspiring work in Oregon and beyond.
