2026
Chinese American Women in History (CAWH) Conference
Telling Our Stories
Exploring the stories of Chinese American women in literature, media, history, and the arts
For generations, Chinese American women have shaped our nation’s history, culture, and arts. Their stories deserve to be seen, heard, and remembered.
Join scholars, artists, educators, students, and community leaders from across the country for three inspiring days of learning, conversation, and connection.
September 30–October 2, 2026
Washington, DC
About the Conference
The Chinese American Women in History (CAWH) Conference is a national gathering dedicated to exploring the lives, contributions, and experiences of Chinese American women.
Hosted by the 1882 Foundation, this biennial conference brings together scholars, educators, writers, artists, filmmakers, students, and community leaders to share research, exchange ideas, and build lasting connections.
3 Days
20+ Speakers
National Gathering
Networking Events
Our Stories Matter
Chinese American women’s stories are an essential part of the American story.
Yet many remain overlooked in classrooms, museums, media, and public con-versations.
The CAWH Conference helps bring these stories to light through scholarship, dialogue, and community—ensuring they are preserved, shared, and celebrated for future generations.
What You'll Experience
Join a vibrant community of scholars, artists, educators, students, and community leaders exploring the many dimensions of Chinese American women’s history and culture.
During the conference, you’ll:
- Hear inspiring keynote speakers.
- Discover new scholarship and creative work.
- Participate in engaging panel discussions.
- Connect with colleagues from across the country.
- Exchange ideas during networking events and receptions.
- Experience Washington, DC’s Chinese American history through an optional educational field experience.
Explore Topics Including
- Literature and storytelling
- Media, film, and the performing arts
- Museums and cultural preservation
- Civic leadership and the legacy of Mabel Ping-Hua Lee
- Community-centered design and America’s Chinatowns
- Mental health and intergenerational experiences
- Multicultural identities
- Challenging the model minority stereotype
Conference Program
DAY 1 – Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Dinner Reception, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Begin CAWH 2026 with a warm welcome at Chinatown Garden. Meet fellow attendees, conference speakers, reconnect with colleagues and friends, and enjoy time together before the conference gets underway.
Members of the 1882 Foundation Executive Team will welcome guests and offer a preview of the conference ahead, followed by plenty of time to mingle, make new connections, and continue conversations over the evening.
DAY 2 – Thursday, October 1, 2026
Registration opens at 8:30 AM, with coffee and light pastries served until 9:30 AM. The conference begins promptly at 9:00 AM.
The day will feature a keynote presentation and panel conversations exploring the stories and experiences of Chinese American women, along with a poster exhibition showcasing the work of DC students and residents.
Morning Keynote, 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Topic: Mabel Ping-Hua Lee
Speaker: Professor Cathleen Cahill, Social Historian, Penn State University, Author of Recasting the Vote: How Women of Color Transformed the Suffrage Movement
Panel 1, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Topic: Shaping the Narrative: Chinese American Women Transforming Museums and Cultural Institutions
Speakers: Dr. Yao-Fen You, Acting Director, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center; Melissa Ho, Curator of Twentieth Century Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Dr. Eugenie Tsai, Former Curator of Contemporary Art, Brooklyn Museum; Sonia Mak, Executive Director, Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia
Moderated By: Sonia Mak, Executive Director, Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia
Panel 2, 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Topic: The Power of Our Mothers: Chinese American Writers Share Personal Stories
Speakers: Professor Andrea Louie, Chair and Professor of Anthropology, Michigan State University and Author of Chinese American Mothering; Ginny Gong, Host of “Ginny’s…where East meets West” and Former National President, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates; Carolyn Chan, Former President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.), Dr. Mamie Chan, Community Advocate & Optometrist
Moderated By: Ginny Gong, Host of “Ginny’s…where East meets West” and Former National President, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates
Lunch Break, 12:45 PM – 1:15 PM
Poster Session, 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
Explore a special poster exhibition featuring work by DC students and residents. Presenters will be available during the Poster Session to share their work and engage in conversation with conference attendees. Posters will remain on display throughout the day.
Panel 3, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Topic: Community-Centered Design: Reimagining Chinatowns Across the U.S.
Speakers: Jenn Low, Founder and Principal, Care-ful Ground; Yin Kong, Executive Director/Co-Founder, Think!Chinatown
Moderated By: Ted Gong, Chairman of the Board of Directors, 1882 Foundation
Panel 4, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Topic: Personal Stories: Mental Health, Generational Trauma, and Healing in Chinese American Communities
Speakers: Elaine Peng, Executive Director & Founder, Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities; Dr. Serena Chen, Psychiatrist; Dr. Sze Chan, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Moderated By: Dr. Sze Chan, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Panel 5 & Activity, 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Topic: Beyond One Identity: Multicultural Lives and the Many Stories of Chinese Americans
Speakers: Regina Chow McPhie, Born Washingtonian and Community Leader who grew up in DC’s Chinatown; Sally Chow, Chinese American Community Leader in the South
Moderated By: Yilin Zhang, Co-Executive Director, 1882 Foundation
Panel 6, 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
Topic: Telling Our Stories Through the Arts: Chinese American Creatives in Performing Arts, Literature, and Film
Speakers: Stephanie Chou, Composer and Jazz Musician; Katie Gee Salisbury, Author, Not Your China Doll; Lou Wang-Holborn, Film Producer of Iris Chang: Power of One
Moderated By: Lauren Jeu, Memphis-based director, writer, producer
Conference Wrap Up & Thank You to Sponsors, Speakers, Attendees, and Organizers, 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Transition to Evening Reception
Reception from 6:15 PM – 8:00 PM
You asked for more time together — and we listened!
One of the strongest takeaways from our 2023 conference was how much attendees valued the connections they made. In response, we’ve added an evening reception to CAWH 2026, giving you more time to continue the conversations, reconnect with fellow attendees and speakers, and enjoy being together.
DAY 3 – Friday, October 2, 2026
Extend the conference experience with an educational field activity exploring women’s history, art, and culture in Washington, DC.
Tour at the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, and tour at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Time is TBD but both will end by 12:30pm.
Meet Our Speakers
Professor Cathleen Cahill
Social Historian, Penn State University, Author of Recasting the Vote: How Women of Color Transformed the Suffrage Movement
Carolyn Chan
Former President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.)
Dr. Mamie Chan
Community Advocate & Optometrist
Dr. Sze Chan
Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Dr. Serena Chen
Psychiatrist
Stephanie Chou
Composer and Jazz Musician
Sally Chow
Chinese American Community Leader in the South
Ginny Gong
Host of “Ginny’s…where East meets West” and Former National President, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates
Melissa Ho
Curator of Twentieth Century Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum
Lauren Jeu
Memphis-based director, writer, producer
Yin Kong
Executive Director/Co-Founder, Think!Chinatown
Professor Andrea Louie
Chair and Professor of Anthropology, Michigan State University and Author of Chinese American Mothering
Jenn Low
Founder and Principal, Care-ful Ground
Sonia Mak
Executive Director, Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia
Regina Chow McPhie
Born Washingtonian and Community Leader who grew up in DC’s Chinatown
Elaine Peng
Executive Director & Founder, Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities
Katie Gee Salisbury
Author, Not Your China Doll
Dr. Eugenie Tsai
Former Curator of Contemporary Art, Brooklyn Museum
Lou Wang-Holborn
Film Producer of Iris Chang: Power of One
Dr. Yao-Fen You
Acting Director, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
1882 Foundation Organizing Committee
Ted Gong, Chairman of the Board
Holding duties of President and Treasurer
Amy Trang, Ph.D., M.Ed., Senior Director
Also serves as Chief Financial Officer
Yilin Zhang, Co-Executive Director
Join Us
Whether you’re presenting research, discovering new perspectives, or making meaningful connections, you’ll leave inspired by the people, ideas, and stories that define this growing community.
Become part of the conversation.
Become part of the community.
Hotel Accommodations
A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at a local hotel. For hotel information or conference-related questions, please contact Yilin Zhang at Yilin@1882foundation.org
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support the Work of the 1882 Foundation
The Chinese American Women in History Conference is made possible by the generous support of our donors, sponsors, and community partners.
If your organization is interested in supporting the 1882 Foundation and its programs, we invite you to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR CO-SPONSORS
