nwasianweekly.com
June 7, 2008

Photo byRebecca Ip

Ruby Chow, accompanied by her husband, Ping, at a tribute and fundraising dinner held in their honor at the Asian Resource Center Sep. 15, 2007.

Ruby Chow, local legend, dies at 87

By Eleanor Lee

Northwest Asian Weekly

Ruby Chow, restaurateur, political pioneer, civic activist, community leader and philanthropist, passed away the morning of June 4 from heart failure, just shy of her 88th birthday.

Since suffering a stroke four years ago, her physical condition had been very fragile, and her health rapidly declined recently, according to those who knew her.

Just last week, on May 28, the Chong Wa Benevolent Association held its annual “Celebration with the Governor,” attended by Gov. Chris Gregoire. Chow started the dinner 40 years ago, but was unable to attend this year due to poor health.

Gov. Gregoire said in a statement, “Ruby was the soul of Seattle and exemplified so much of what makes Washington great. She stood up for the underrepresented, especially Asian Americans, from the time she was a young woman. … Throughout her life, Ruby did what women do best. She built bridges, and because of that, she left our state better place for us all. We will miss Ruby but her legacy will live on.”

Chow was a towering figure in the local Chinese American community. She and her husband, Ping, a renowned opera singer, opened Ruby Chow’s Restaurant in 1948, the first Chinese restaurant in Seattle outside of Chinatown.

With the success of her restaurant, Chow embarked on a public relations campaign to create a better understanding of Chinese cuisine and culture in the general public. She and her husband invited the general public to Chinese New Year celebrations and other community events, publicizing positive images of Chinatown.

They also published the first Chinese cookbook, hosted the first Chinese cooking show and started the first Chinese frozen food business. They formally started the Seattle Chinatown Dragon Team and the Chinese Community Girls Drill Team.

Bettie Luke, sister of the late Wing Luke and a staff member with the Organization of Chinese Americans - Greater Seattle Chapter, said, “Ruby Chow was a pioneer advocate for Chinese girls at an early time when there was no community organization or activity that served their needs. She organized the Chinese Girls Drill Team where the girls learned discipline, cooperation, teamwork, responsibility and both social and organizational skills. I watched her influence in the early years when my older sisters were in the drill team and I was too young to participate — so I have seen decades of dedication from this community leader. … I am glad that the OCA-GS had a chance to honor her as a Golden Circle Award winner in 2006.”

Luke added, “Ruby Chow was sometimes seen as a tough leader, but she had a heart that was passionately involved in the betterment of the Chinese community and had an unwavering dedication to promoting opportunities for Chinese girls.”

Chow promoted female equality in a number of ways. She was the first female board member of Chong Wa Benevolent Society, an unheard of feat at the time. She and other Chinese American females essentially stormed the board of Chong Wa, which at the time was the umbrella organization for all Chinese American groups in the area, and demanded to be included. She also went on to become president of a Chong Wa chapter.

Chow assisted several other prominent Asian American figures in winning political office, including Wing Luke and Gary Locke. She used her considerable influence and fundraising skills, as well as inventive strategy. For example, she came up with an idea to stuff the fortune cookies at her restaurant with “Vote for Wing Luke” strips.

Then she herself entered mainstream politics when she became the first Asian American to be elected to the King County Council in 1973. She was elected to three consecutive terms, before retiring in 1985.

During her tenure, Chow was adamant about having minority and female representation at the county government level. When the council once considered lowering the requirements for hiring minority and female staff, Chow strenuously objected and prevented the proposal.

Ark Chin, a former University of Washington Regent and longtime community leader, said that Chow “has been a force in advancing the Chinese community and has done many good things.” He added that people will “remember what a strong and positive force she has been” and that though there have been times when people didn’t agree with one of her positions, “overall, she has been a positive force.”

In January, a floor of the new King County Building was named the Ruby Chow floor, to honor her role as a political pioneer. A park in the Georgetown neighborhood and a gathering space at the new Wing Luke Asian Museum are also named for her and her family.

Chow was born on June 6, 1920, to Jim Sing Mar and Wong See. She was the eldest of 10 children. She attended local schools: Bailey Gatzert Elementary School, Washington Junior High, and Garfield and Franklin high schools, but dropped out at 16 to work and help support the family.

She is survived by her husband, Ping, and five children, all of whom are further testament to her accomplishments. Son Edward was the deputy assistant secretary for policy in the Clinton Administration, Shelton is an educator, Brien is an entrepreneur and Mark is a King County Superior Court Judge. Daughter Cheryl is president of the Seattle School board.

Funeral services will be held June 11 at noon, Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave., Seattle. Donations can be made to Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team, PO Box 28832, Seattle, 98118.

Assunta Ng contributed to this report.

Eleanor Lee can be reached at e.lee@nwasianweekly.com.

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