Dr. Margaret Chung lived from 1889 to 1959.

Dr. Chung was born in Santa Barbara in 1889 to Chinese immigrants and was the oldest of 11 children. She studied at the University of Southern California, obtaining her bachelor's and medical degrees. She was the first American born Chinese woman to become a physician. She was originally rejected by her medical missionary due to her race, but instead worked as a surgical nurse and did her medical residency in Chicago.

She started one of the first Western Medical Clinics located in San Francisco's Chinatown in the 1920s, providing care to chinese immigrants who often had no access to care. She supported hundreds of military servicemen who lovingly referred to her as their adopted mom. During World War 2, she used her influence to work for the allied war effort, sending letters, gifts, and care packages to her adopted children on the front lines. She was also known for hosting weekly dinners for these family members.

She fought for the creation of WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, which allowed women to join the military.

Thank you, Dr. Chung, for being a public health hero!

This biography is based on publicly available