1912 suffrage parade in New York City

In the early evening of May 4, 1912, 16-year-old Mabel Ping-Hua Lee rode her white horse at the front of an honor guard leading 10,000 marchers in the suffrage parade up New York City’s Fifth Avenue. As a young Chinese-American woman, her leadership in the parade was a powerful symbol of both her unwavering commitment to women’s rights and her pioneering role as a suffragist within a movement that was largely dominated by white women. Lee’s presence at the forefront of the parade was especially significant, as it challenged both gender and racial norms of the time, highlighting her unique position as a Chinese-American in a predominantly white suffrage movement.

At the time of the 1912 parade, Lee was a student at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn and had just been accepted to Barnard College. The march was only the beginning of her long and dedicated career as an activist fighting for gender equality. Lee used her education and voice to advocate for women's rights, pushing for social change in a society that often marginalized women and people of color. Her involvement in the suffrage movement was far-reaching, and she was known for her passionate speeches, essays, and involvement with organizations like the Chinese Students’ Association at Columbia University..

Sadly, Lee never lived to fully experience the fruits of her efforts. Her accomplishments as a suffragist, educator, and community leader left an enduring legacy, but she passed away in 1966, long before seeing the full impact of her work. Nevertheless, Lee's leadership and dedication to social justice continue to inspire generations of activists.