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Guide to the Chinese American Democratic Club Archives
CEMA 49
CEMA 49
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Table of contents
Title: Chinese American Democratic Club Archives
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 49
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Santa Barbara, Davidson Library, Department of Special Collections, California Ethnic and Multicultural
Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
8.0 linear feet
10 document boxes and one oversize box
Date (inclusive): 1985-2000
Abstract: The Chinese American Democratic Club Archives covers the period from 1988 to 2000. It contains campaign material, such as
election fliers, endorsements and candidate questionnaires or interviews. San Francisco local politics are viewed from this
group’s interaction with politicians, political groups, and coalitions. There are some papers involving state and federal
politicians such as the former Lieutenant Governor of Delaware Shien Biau "S.B." Woo. The club’s newsletters, administrative
papers and clippings focus on political activities and civil rights important to Chinese Americans in San Francisco.
The Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC) was chartered in 1958 by the California State Democratic Central Committee and
the California Democratic Council. This was a response to growing political repression and violations of Chinese American
civil rights in the 1950s. This group advances the causes of Chinese Americans in the San Francisco area. The CADC Bylaws
Article II Objectives states that: The aim and purpose of this Club shall be to encourage the development of meaningful political
awareness within our community and to thereby foster active participation in the democratic process of government by all citizens;
to encourage Chinese candidates to run for elective office; to encourage the appointment of Chinese persons to appointive
positions; to demand a high standard in government to seek justice and equality for all peoples and to study, develop, and
advocate issues relevant to the empowerment and civil rights of Chinese Americans. (
http://www.cadcsf.org/) The club has influenced City elections throughout the 1990s and Club leaders have served on important City Commissions,
including the Airport, Planning, Port, Civil Service and Human Rights Commissions.
Conditions Governing Access note
none
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
The Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC) Archives, CEMA 49, along with the Chinese American Voters Education Committee
Archives, CEMA 61, chronicle an important San Francisco group dedicated to keeping Asian Americans politically active in San
Francisco. Administrative functions, special events, and topics of special concern to them are represented in this collection’s
documents. Promoting the election and hiring of Asian Americans to government offices and positions such as school principals
is part of CADC’s mission. Shien Biau "S.B." Woo who even though he was outside the San Francisco area and was elected Lieutenant
Governor of Delaware from 1985-1989 was supported by CADC. He ran for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and was
endorsed by CADC. Issues important to CADC members, as well as other members of the community such as housing, education,
civil rights, affirmative action and San Francisco politics are covered in this collection. CADC's affiliations with other
San Francisco Groups such as Lesbian/Gay and various democratic and minority groups and officials are apparent in their correspondence,
endorsements, and newsletter documents. Former CADC presidents such as Douglas Chan, Roland Quan, and Harold Yee, papers are
part of this collection that spans from 1986 - 2000.
Series I Administrative Records 1986 - 1997
Administrative records includes traditional board documents such as agendas, minutes and budget information. The CADC Issues
Committee documents are part of this series. The series spans from 1986 to 1997 with bulk dates between 1986 and 1990.
Series II Correspondence 1985 - 1999
Correspondence both incoming and outgoing gives the biggest insight into what was politically important to this group. Some
of the Documents from government officals have been put into their own are in this series.
Series III Endorsements and Candidate Information 1986-1999
Endorsements and candidate information includes publications and fliers providing information about various candidates running
for offices in the City and County of San Francisco. CADC interview papers are included. There is a small amount of information
on Shien Biau "S.B." Woo who held the highest political office of an Asian American at the time. The series spans from 1986
to 1999 and includes information on prominent San Francisco politicans, some who became U.S. senators, such as Senator Diane
Feinstein.
Series IV Events 1986 - 1999
Events includes CADC hosted events as well as ones that CADC members attended. These events include campaign fundraisers,
anniversaries, and other occasions. This series spans from 1986 to 1999.
Series V Club Newsletters and Press Releases 1986 - 1999
Both internally produced newsletters and publications as well as externally produced articles about the CADC are included.
There is an extensive collection of the CADC
Fiery Dragon News. This series spans from 1986 to 1999.
Series VI Subject Files 1985-1998
This series includes files on Asian American politics, education, government, housing, San Francisco politics, and other miscellaneous
subjects. This series spans from 1985 to 1998 with bulk dates between 1985 and 1996.
Series VII Newspaper Articles and Newspapers
Newspaper articles and newspapers such as
East West are part of this series. Oversized articles regarding San Francisco and Asian American Politics are included here.
Chinese American Voters Education Committee, Inc. Archives (CEMA 61), Chinese American Political Association Archives. (CEMA
48) and Kearny Street Workshop Archives (CEMA 33)
Chinese American Democratic Club Archives, CEMA 49, Department of Special Collections, University Library, University of California,
Santa Barbara.
This collection was processed by Callie Bowdish, Greg Simon, Chip Badley, and Paola Novo-Araya at CEMA in April, 2009.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Administrative records
Chinese Americans--California--San Francisco.
Chinese Americans--Politics and government.