Mabel Ping-Hua Lee
She Fought for a Right She Was Denied
As seen on NBC4 Washington
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee was a Chinese American suffragist, scholar, and community leader who believed that democracy depends on equal opportunity for all.
She attended Barnard College and later earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University in 1921, becoming the first Chinese woman to earn a doctorate in economics.
Her academic work and public advocacy reflected her belief that education and civic participation were essential to a thriving democracy.
She championed women’s education and civic engagement, urging young people to become leaders in the fight for equal rights and human potential.
In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting American women the right to vote. Yet Mabel herself could not vote —barred from citizenship under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
More than a century later, we have the opportunity to finally give her story the recognition it deserves.
The 1882 Foundation is launching a public mural honoring Mabel Ping-Hua Lee.
Help bring this story into public view through a lasting work of public memory.
Why This Mural Matters
Recognize an overlooked leader. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee helped lead the fight for women’s rights yet remains largely absent from public history.
Expand the American story. The mural will highlight the role Chinese Americans played in the struggle for democracy.
Inspire future generations. Public art invites new audiences to engage with history.
The mural will be unveiled in Summer 2026 in Washington, DC, near the Chinatown Archway on H Street, alongside Chinatown Garden Restaurant.
Help Honor Mabel Ping-Hua Lee’s Legacy
Double Your Impact
Your gift is matched 1:1 by a generous donor Up to $25,000 — through July 4, 2026
This campaign is led by the 1882 Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and legacy of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and its continuing impact on American society.
The 1882 Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Funds raised will support the commissioned artist, the design, production, installation, and long-term maintenance of the mural.
Other Ways to Give
Give by check
Make payable to “1882 Foundation” and mail to:
PO Box 2492
Fairfax, VA 22031
Please include “Mabel Lee Project” in the memo line.
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