Chautauqua – “The Notorious Mrs. Lee: Gold Rush Madam”
July 29 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
“Celebrating the American Spirit”
She is recorded in history books as “the notorious Mrs. Lee.” She was probably a procurer, in other words, she brought girls from China to the United States. So in essence, she was part of human trafficking at the turn of the 20th century.
Her story is the story of the Chinese during the Gold Rush and the building of the railroads. It is a story about early Chinatowns and the Chinese as a labor force that helped to build the West. But primarily, it is the story of the horrendously difficult life, including the prejudice, racism, social inequity, and exclusion, of the Chinese in America.
The story of Bowen Lee’s great great grandmother Lee, is a story that includes girl infanticide, foot binding, being sold into slavery, and casting women into the street to die when they are no longer needed.
Bowen Lyam Lee has been on the stage of national and international storytelling events, conducts workshops for educators, and performs virtually with national, international, and regional programs. She has won numerous national story slams and been a National Storytelling Network Grand Slam winner. She is a Chautauqua scholar who has performed Asian women of history, including Junko Tabei and Bowen’s great grandmother, who was born and raised in the Chinese fishing village of Monterey.
Cost: $15, 16 years and younger – Free
The Ranch House will be open 3:30 – 5:30 pm for event guests.
