Connie Young Yu is a Chinese American writer, historian, and lecturer. She is "the author of countless articles and three books:... through articles, essays, lectures, and community activities, she has devoted her energies for more than a quarter of a century in rediscovering a history of Chinese and Asian America that has, for the most part, been forgotten, overlooked, and even hidden.". Shelley Fisher Fishkin, in "Writing America," cites Connie Young Yu's involvement in saving the detention barracks of Angel Island Immigration Station that had Chinese poems carved on the walls: "Most of these poems were forgotten until they were rediscovered by a California State Park Ranger named Alexander Weiss in 1970. Connie Young Yu, a community historian and activist who would play a central role in getting the Angel Island Immigration Station designated a National Historic Landmark, said, 'In 1970 all that remained on the site were the deteriorating barracks.' The California State Parks administration had plans to demolish the entire site. Yu describes the arduous process by which that destruction was averted...."
Biography
Yu grew up in San Francisco, California with her older sister, Janey Young Cheu, and younger brother, Alfred John Young. Her father was John C. Young, a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve and businessman. Her mother was Mary Lee Young, an artist and art collector. She is married to Dr. John Kou Ping Yu, an oncologist, and together they have 3 children: Jennifer Yu, Jessica Yu, Marty Yu, and 3 grandchildren. Connie graduated from George Washington High School. She studied literature and journalism at Mills College where she was the Valedictorian of her 1963 graduating class. From 1970-72, Connie served on the Mills College Board of Trustees. She has taught fencing for over 25 years at the Fencing Center of San Jose, California, and serves on the board of directors of this non-profit club. Connie was chosen Western Region Coach of the Year, 1999, by the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association, and presented the "Award of Merit," by the USFCA in 2010. A former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Hakone Gardens Foundation in Saratoga, California, and Trustee Emeritus Board member of the Chinese Historical Society of America. Yu was a founding member of the Angel Island Immigration Station Historical Advisory Committee that saved the immigration barracks for preservation. At their "Voice and Vision Gala 2012," the Chinese Historical Society of America recognized Connie Young Yu, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, and China Daily founding member Manli Ho as "History Makers" inductees. Yu spoke on behalf of all the descendants of Chinese Transcontinental Railroad workers at the United States Department of Labor induction of the Chinese Railroad Workers into the Labor Hall of Honor on May 9, 2014. "Yu said she takes comfort in seeing her great grandfather's efforts remembered in the halls of the U.S. government". On April 24, 2016, she was presented the State of California's 13th Senate District "Woman of the Year" award by Senator Jerry Hill. In 2019, Connie was the co-editor of "Voices from the Railroad: Stories by descendants of Chinese railroad workers" published by the Chinese Historical Society of America. At the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10th, 2019, Connie Young Yu gave the opening Commencement speech at Promontory Point, Utah's "Golden Spike" Ceremony.
