The early Chinese immigrant pioneers were typically sojourners–workers looking for a piece of the Gold Mountain to take back to China to help their families. Many faced conditions of racism, exclusion and economic exploitation, even as they helped transform America by building railroads, establishing fisheries, harvesting crops, and producing in factories. Our place today in this society rests, in part, on their legacy. It is in memory of their unrecognized struggles and profound contributions that we offer the Sojourner Award.
2021 Sojourner Award Recipients:
Nick and Eva Chau
Civic and community-minded business owners and philanthropists
Klysler Yen
Champion for equity/collaboration of
Chinese/Asian Americans in media and advocacy
2020 Sojourner Award Recipients:
Robert H. P. Yuan
Renowned neurosurgeon and co-founder of GBCCA.
Paul Lee
Founder and leader of Asian legal and community organizations.
Past recipients:
2019 – Helen Chin Schlichte and Yu-Sing Jung
2018 – Ruth Moy and Peter Kiang
2017 – Caroline Chang, American Legion Boston Chinatown Post 328
2016 – Amy Guen, South Cove Community Health Center
2015 – Arthur Wong, Gary Libby
2014 – Boston Dragon Boat Festival
2013 – South Cove Manor
2012 – Billy Chin, Jill Cheng
2011 – The Boston Knights Chinese Athletic Club, Davis Woo
2010 – Madeline C. Wong
2009 – Shanghai Printing Company, Sun Sun Company
2006 – May Lo, Felix Lui, Wang YMCA
2005 – Frank Chin, Chee Kong Tong / Chinese Freemasons
2003 – Bo Sim Mark, National Archives and Records Administration, Northeast Region
2002 – Tunney Lee, Schlesinger Library
2000 – Sampan Community Newspaper
1998 – Neil Chin, Kew Sing Music Club
1997 – William Seam Wong, Joseph Yuu, New England Chinese Women’s Association
1996 – Paul Chan, Doris Chu, Eugene Wu, Principal Fung Ming Lee | Kwong Kow Chinese School
1995 – Aili S. Chin, David S.Y. Wong, Reginald Wong
