More than a century after Mabel Ping-Hua Lee fought for voting rights, her message now has a permanent place in Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown.
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee was a Chinese American suffragist, scholar, and community leader who believed that democracy depends on equal opportunity for all.
At just 16 years old, Mabel helped lead New York City’s 1912 women’s suffrage parade, riding on horseback as one of the movement’s most visible young advocates. She later attended Barnard College and earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University, becoming one of the first Chinese women in the United States to earn a doctorate in economics. Throughout her life, she championed education, women’s leadership, and civic participation, believing they were essential to a thriving democracy.
In 1920, the 19th Amendment granted many American women the right to vote. Yet Mabel herself remained unable to vote because the Chinese Exclusion Act prevented Chinese immigrants from becoming U.S. citizens.
More than a century later, the Mabel Ping-Hua Lee Mural in Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown honors Mabel’s enduring message that democracy depends on participation. Created through a partnership between the 1882 Foundation, passionate community sponsors, and DowntownDC BID, the mural was unveiled on July 1, 2026, creating a lasting public tribute that encourages visitors to reflect on the importance of voting, civic participation, and the power of every voice.
A New Home for Learning, Culture, and Community
The Bean Sprout Factory: Toys, Crafts & Books is an exciting new initiative from the 1882 Foundation, created to celebrate Chinese American history while inspiring future generations.
Located in the heart of Washington, DC’s Chinatown, the Bean Sprout Factory will offer educational toys, books, crafts, and programs for young families, children, teachers, and lifelong learners. Through hands-on activities and cultural experiences, the shop will help connect visitors with the rich history and traditions of Chinese America.
The Bean Sprout Factory will also serve as a welcoming community space, supporting the Foundation’s mission to strengthen and revitalize Chinatown by attracting families and creating opportunities for learning and discovery.
The name honors a remarkable chapter in Chinatown’s history
Years ago, before today’s alleyway behind Tony Cheng’s Restaurant was surrounded by newer buildings, the area was home to a five-story warehouse that became one of Chinatown’s most important businesses — a bean sprout factory.
Inside the building, bean sprouts were grown on a large scale and supplied to restaurants throughout Washington, DC, the surrounding region, and even markets in New York and Philadelphia.
Neighborhood children helped water, harvest, package, and prepare the sprouts for delivery. The factory became more than a workplace — it became a gathering place where generations of Chinatown families worked, played, and built lifelong friendships.
The historic Chinatown alley behind 616 I Street NW, once home to the original Bean Sprout Factory. It will soon become the future home of the reimagined Bean Sprout Factory.
The success of the business earned its owner the nickname “The Bean Sprout King.” His son, Dr. Toon Lee, cared for generations of Chinatown families as a physician, while Dr. Lee’s wife, Linda Lee, became one of Chinatown’s most respected civic leaders. For decades, Linda Lee helped preserve the neighborhood’s culture and traditions, advocating for Chinatown through periods of tremendous change, including immigration reform, urban redevelopment, and the continuation of beloved community traditions such as the annual Chinatown Parade.
The Bean Sprout Factory celebrates this remarkable legacy of entrepreneurship, community leadership, and neighborhood pride.
As Monument Realty redevelops this historic alley, the Bean Sprout Factory will help preserve its stories while creating a vibrant new destination for families, educators, visitors, and the community.
By connecting history with hands-on learning, the Bean Sprout Factory will ensure that Chinatown’s past continues to inspire future generations.
A glimpse of Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown in the early 1900s, when the neighborhood’s alleys were home to businesses, families, and everyday community life. Harris & Ewing Collection.