Afong Moy
| Afong Moy | |
|---|---|
 Afong Moy, exhibited with "various Chinese curiosities" | |
| Born |
c. 1819 Canton City (now Guangzhou) |
| Nationality | Chinese |
Afong Moy was the first female Chinese immigrant to the United States.[1] In 1834, she was brought to New York City from her home of Guangzhou by Nathaniel and Frederick Carne, who exhibited her as "the Chinese Lady". Announcements of the exhibition advertised her clothing, her language, and her four-inch "little feet",[2] a result of foot binding.[3]
Biography
Afong Moy arrived in New York from Canton, China with a variety of the Carnes' cargo on the Washington on October 17, 1834, listed on the passenger list as "Auphinoy".[4][5] The New York Daily Advertiser announced her as "Juila Foochee ching-chang king, daughter of Hong wang-tzang tzee king."[3] She was exhibited for some time in New York, with a translator, Atung, and "various Chinese curiosities",[2] after which she toured the country, even meeting President Andrew Jackson.[3]
Although she originally planned to return to China after two years in the United States, she ultimately stayed longer, and was still performing as late as 1850.[3]
References
- ↑ Wei Chi Poon. "The Life Experiences of Chinese Women in the U.S.". Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- 1 2 "The First Chinese Women in the United States". The National Women's History Museum. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Haddad, John. "The Chinese Lady and China for the Ladies" (PDF). Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ↑ "The Chinese Lady". Hartford Courant. 1834-11-24. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
- ↑ Krystyn R. Moon (2005). Yellowface: Creating the Chinese in American Popular Music and Performance, 1850s-1920s. Rutgers University Press. pp. 59–62. ISBN 0813535077. Retrieved 8 December 2014.