“The harder the work, the greater the satisfaction in accomplishing it.”

Anna May Wong is known as the first Chinese American Hollywood film star. Her career spanned the transition from silent film to “talkies” in the 1920s. She was born to second generation Chinese Americans and grew up working at their family-owned laundromat in Los Angeles. When she was only 17, she landed her first leading role in a major movie, but Hollywood continuously typecast her in very stereotypical supporting roles. In 1951, Anna May made history by becoming the first Asian American to star in a lead role in an American television series – The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong – portraying a gallery-owning-sleuth. Not only is she remembered as a talented actress and fashion icon, she has also been recognized for the pivotal role she played in breaking down the racial barriers in Hollywood that she did battle with throughout her career.