Archive

Arrival in the United States

Min Mey Chang and Dr. Sheng Chang in San Francisco, in their first years in the United States.

At the Golden Gate Bridge

A young couple with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them, from the same early years in San Francisco.

With their first son

On a footbridge with their eldest son, James, as an infant.

Crab fishing

Crab fishing, with a landing net between them.

At a pavilion

On a boardwalk beside a pavilion.

A young mother

A young Min Mey Chang holding a toddler beside a brick building.

A family portrait

A studio portrait of Min Mey and Dr. Sheng Chang with their two eldest sons as young children.

In a park

A couple in a park, she in a yellow polka-dot dress.

Her parents

Min Mey Chang's own parents.

A toddler on a tricycle, 1979

A couple crouching beside a toddler on a tricycle in front of a brick apartment building. A photo-lab date stamp in the corner reads April 1979.

Singing together, 1993

Singing into microphones with Dr. Chang; a date stamp in the corner reads 3/14/93.

Singing at home

Singing with Dr. Chang at a music stand in a sliding-glass-door room.

A themed party performance

Singing with Dr. Chang under an open umbrella at a themed party, both wearing a decorative dot on the forehead.

With three dogs

Kneeling in the backyard with three dogs, a brick planter and rose bushes behind.

A formal reception

With Dr. Chang and two other couples at an indoor reception, a paper lantern overhead.

A formal portrait

A studio portrait with Dr. Chang against a painted staircase backdrop.

A formal portrait

A studio portrait with Dr. Chang against a plain gray backdrop.

At an outdoor fair

Playing with a string-pull spinning top at an outdoor craft fair.

In the backyard

Crouching in the backyard beside a dog.

A celebration dinner

At a restaurant dinner with eight others, hands raised in celebration.

At a formal event

With three others at an arched doorway, two wearing boutonnieres — likely a wedding or anniversary celebration.

Children on a trampoline

Children playing on a backyard trampoline at a family gathering.

A toast at dinner

Sharing a toast with Dr. Chang at a restaurant table.

A family gathering

With six family members in front of framed calligraphy and painted artwork.

A family hot-pot dinner

Around a hot-pot dinner table with ten family members spanning several generations.

With their three sons

Min Mey Chang and Dr. Sheng Chang with their three sons — James, Peter and Richard — on a glacier cruise.

A family gathering, with a newborn

A family gathering around a low table, with a newborn held in her arms.

A recent portrait

With Dr. Chang at a banquet, in front of an ornate wall panel.

A multigenerational family gathering

A family gathering spanning three generations, seated together at a table.

A warm embrace

Embracing Dr. Chang, both laughing.

At a banquet

With Dr. Chang at a banquet, both wearing a red rose boutonniere.

Beneath a mounted marlin

With Dr. Chang beneath a large mounted marlin on the wall.

On the porch swing

With Dr. Chang seated together on a porch swing.

A grandson's first birthday

With Dr. Chang and family at a first-birthday celebration, a space-themed cake on the table.

At a restaurant

With Dr. Chang at a restaurant.

At a rose garden

With Dr. Chang at a rose garden, each holding a face mask.

In the backyard in autumn

With Dr. Chang in the backyard, autumn leaves covering the lawn.

In the kitchen

A selfie with Dr. Chang in the kitchen at home.

Sharing a meal

With Dr. Chang seated together at a restaurant meal.

The Chinese school she founded

With three children in front of a banner reading "Arcadia Chinese School" — 亞凱迪亞中文學校 — the school she founded.

Educational delegations to Taiwan and China

With staff and a full assembly of students at a Taiwan school, a portrait of Sun Yat-sen and the flag of the Republic of China behind them — one of the educational delegations.

At a school anniversary program

With three colleagues at a darkened auditorium, at a school anniversary program.

10th anniversary of the Southern California Council of Chinese Schools

A newspaper clipping on the 10th anniversary celebration of the Southern California Council of Chinese Schools, showing an award group photo and Min Mey Chang touring a wall of student artwork.

Presenting awards to students

Wearing a medal on stage at a school award ceremony, with three children holding their certificates.

Hosting a delegation of Lutheran churchwomen

With a group outside the school, beside a sign reading "Welcome State Women Representatives from American Lutheran Churches" — 歡迎美國信義宗教會各州婦女代表蒞臨本校參觀.

Students at an outdoor activity

A schoolyard full of children at an outdoor exercise or dance activity, with teachers looking on.

A thank-you letter from Shu-Te Home Economics & Commercial School

A letter from 樹德家商 — Shu-Te Home Economics & Commercial School in Kaohsiung — addressed to Dr. and Mrs. Sheng Chang, thanking them for hosting and assisting the school's touring performance delegation to the United States. Dated April 1988.

With a larger group of students at the school banner

With two other teachers and a group of students, several in matching red "Arcadia Chinese School" t-shirts printed with the school's peacock emblem, in front of a banner reading "Arcadia Chinese School" — 亞凱迪亞中文學校.

A student recital

On stage with rows of students in recital costume — fan dancers, drummers and a Chinese New Year float — flanking the American and California flags.

A children's art exhibit

With a girl in front of a wall of Christmas-themed student artwork.

Beside a wall of children's artwork

Standing beside a wall covered in students' drawings, a red New Year decoration to one side.

A women's group photo

With eight other women outside a school building, in front of a partly visible banner.

A profile of the school founder

A newspaper profile headlined "Founder of the Arcadia Chinese School — Min Mey Chang," describing her work bridging cultures and her hope that the school would help preserve Chinese culture and language for the next generation.

The Southern California Delegation of Cultural and Educational Exchange

A group portrait of about nineteen people with a pennant reading "The Southern California Delegation of Cultural and Educational Exchange, Los Angeles," bearing the flags of the Republic of China and the United States.

Chinese Daily News commendation, 2003

A commendation from the Los Angeles office of Chinese Daily News (世界日報) to the groups that performed on the Chinese stage at the 2003 Children's Expo. The Arcadia Chinese School is named first. The certificate carries its own year.

A newspaper section on the school

A 國際日報 special section given over to the Arcadia Chinese School — a recital, classroom and summer-program photographs, and an essay on the work of teaching. The banner behind the stage carries 2004.

The school section of 6 July 2007

A 國際日報 special section built entirely from her students' own writing and drawing — a spring break, a Saturday in the park, three days on Catalina, Lunar New Year. The page prints its own date. The students' names and ages are redacted here: they were children, they are not family, and nobody asked them.

A profile of the school

A newspaper profile of the Arcadia Chinese School describing its daily and after-school classes across three campuses, its Saturday classes, and a summer program teaching Chinese, English, Spanish and mathematics alongside kung fu, dance, handicrafts and diabolo, with teachers invited from Taiwan. The school was in its twenty-sixth year, which places this around 2008. The article names her 張馬盈宇; her name is 張馬敏妹, as her own seal reads.

Arcadia Beautiful Award — the Anita Baldwin Award, 1982

Arcadia Beautiful Award — the Mayor's Award, 1984

Signing papers at a desk

Seated at a desk signing papers with a colleague, a plum-blossom scroll painting on the wall behind.

At an outdoor community festival

With a group of boys in matching red shirts holding paper fans and flags, at an outdoor festival strung with bunting.

A CAPTA parent training session

With five others in front of a banner for the Southern California Chinese American Parent Teacher Association (CAPTA) — 南加州華裔家長教師協會 — reading "家長講習會," a parent training session.

A Star-News feature on the Chinese community in Arcadia

A Star-News feature, "The Asian influence in Arcadia," on the city's growing Chinese population, with a photograph of Min Mey and Dr. Sheng Chang in their Arcadia home. Dr. Chang, described as head of the Arcadia Chinese Association, discusses the difficulties immigrant families face adjusting to the United States.

At the CAPTA podium

Receiving a certificate from another woman at a podium bearing the banner "C.A.P.T.A. Founded 1979" — the Southern California Chinese American Parent Teacher Association.

The Arcadia Education Foundation "99 Club," 1986

A Chinese-language newspaper report, dated October 22, 1986, on the Arcadia Education Foundation's "$99 Club" fundraising drive, naming her among its organizers.

A thank-you letter from Judy Chu, 1988

A letter from Judy Chu, dated May 1, 1988, thanking Dr. and Mrs. Chang for their support after she won her first Monterey Park City Council election. The recipient address is redacted.

A letter from the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle, 1989

A letter from Senator Don Nickles, chairman of the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle, dated January 27, 1989, thanking Dr. and Mrs. Sheng Chang for attending the presidential inaugural festivities in Washington. The recipient address is redacted.

Meeting Senator Bob Dole, 1989

A Sierra Madre News clipping, February 2, 1989: "Inner Circle Luncheon — Min Mey Chang of Arcadia meets with Senator Bob Dole at an Inner Circle luncheon hosted by the senator during the presidential inaugural festivities."

Installed as president of the Chinese American PTA, 1989

A Sierra Madre News article, March 2, 1989, reporting that Min Mey Chang was installed as president of the Chinese American Parents and Teachers Association of Southern California, and naming her three sons — James, then a senior at Arcadia High School; Peter, a sophomore at Arcadia High School; and Richard, a fourth grader at Hugo Reid Elementary.

Arcadia Community Service Center opening

A newspaper report on the opening of the Arcadia Community Service Center, formed by the Chinese school with a San Gabriel Valley family counseling service. Representatives of Congressman David Dreier and Assemblymember Bob Margett, with two Arcadia council members, presented commendations. Margett sat in the Assembly from 1995 to 2000, which places the clipping in that span. The headline names her 張馬盈宇; her name is 張馬敏妹, as her own seal reads.

First Chinese American to receive the Golden Apple Award

A newspaper article reporting that Min Mey Chang was the first Chinese American to receive the Golden Apple Award, given by the Arcadia Unified School District for community education service since 1975. The clipping does not print its own date.

Cutting the ribbon at a Year of the Tiger exhibit

Cutting a ribbon with a group of elders and officials, beneath a banner for a Year of the Tiger exhibition and a large painting of a hundred tigers.

Exchanging a pennant

With Dr. Chang and two others indoors, presenting a blue pennant bearing a peacock crest, calligraphy scrolls on the wall behind.

Backstage with folk performers

Seated on the floor backstage among performers in pink and red folk costume, musicians tuning instruments behind.

A women's association gathering

A large indoor group photo of a women's association, name tags visible, seated in the front row.

At a potluck

With three other women behind a buffet table of home-cooked dishes, one wearing an apron.

With friends outside a house

With five other women in front of a brick house and garden.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation invitation

An invitation from the Board of Governors of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, addressed to "Dr. Min M. Chang," inviting her to participate as a Sustaining Sponsor.

At a formal gala

In evening wear with three others at a gala, holding a tray of food.

Hosting a delegation with an Arcadia pennant

Holding an Arcadia pennant with a group of six, a Chinese landscape scroll on the wall behind — likely a visiting delegation hosted in Arcadia.

At her desk

Seated at an office desk, a plaque reading 平安富貴 — peace, prosperity and honor — on the shelf behind.

At her desk, awards on the wall

Seated at an office desk, a wall of framed certificates and awards behind her.

Writing calligraphy

Seated at a red-draped table writing calligraphy in a red blazer, brushes and an ink stone in front of her.

Writing calligraphy at a costume party

Writing calligraphy at a table with Dr. Chang, dancers in costume visible in the background.

AAUW features noted Chinese leader

A newspaper clipping, "AAUW features noted Chinese leader," on a talk she gave to the Arcadia branch of the American Association of University Women. It lists her many roles: principal of the Arcadia Chinese School, president of the Southern California Chinese American Parent and Teacher Organization, advisor to the Southern California Council of Chinese Schools, and board or committee member across the Methodist Hospital Foundation, the Arcadia Tournament of Roses Association, the Chinese American Dance Association and several school and city committees. It also notes her 1988 Arcadia Unified School District Golden Apple award.

A charity fundraiser dinner

On stage with a man holding up a coat for a live auction item, beneath a banner for an Arcadia Chinese Association fundraiser dinner.

A gift exchange at a banquet

Exchanging a wrapped gift with two men at an ornately carved podium.

A banquet reception

With nine others at a podium in an ornately carved banquet room.

A formal dinner

At a dinner table with three others, a wheel emblem visible on a banner behind.

Visiting friends

With three companions outside a house.

California Acupuncture Board appointment, May 2001

Certificate of Appreciation, 2006

A Certificate of Appreciation from the Southern California Council of Chinese Schools, dated April 30, 2006, recognizing her as a volunteer judge in that year's regional Chinese speech and drama contests.

Writing at a Lunar New Year event

Holding up 福 — good fortune — written in gold on red, at an outdoor Lunar New Year event, with 愛 and 馬到成功 beside it.

A calligraphy and painting exhibition

At a joint exhibition of calligraphy, painting and floral art held for an alumni association Parents' Day, with framed work behind.

At an art exhibition

With a friend at a calligraphy and painting exhibition — one of the most recent photographs in this archive.

A dinner gathering, 1993

At a restaurant dinner with five others, including a Buddhist monk; a date stamp in the corner reads 7/25/93.

With Buddha's Light International Association members

A large outdoor group photo with Buddhist monastics, members of the Buddha's Light International Association wearing its gold sash.

Receiving a certificate

Receiving a certificate from a senior Buddhist monastic in golden robes, at an outdoor reception.

A Buddha's Light International Association gathering

Seated among Buddha's Light International Association members as a senior monastic addresses the gathering from a podium bearing the association's lotus emblem.

Presenting the Arcadia chapter plaque

Holding up a plaque reading "國際佛光會 ARCADIA — Buddha's Light Int'l Assoc. Arcadia" with a senior monastic, marking the chapter she led.

Addressing a Buddha's Light International Association meeting

Speaking at a microphone, wearing the association's gold sash and a name badge, at an indoor meeting.

A Buddha's Light International Association temple visit

A large group photo with a senior monastic in a temple courtyard, association members wearing the gold sash.

At home, in the BLIA sash

With Dr. Chang at a home dinner table, wearing her Buddha's Light International Association sash; family photographs hang on the wall behind.

Buddhist papercut art

With Dr. Chang, both wearing Buddha's Light International Association sashes, in front of Buddhist figures rendered in red papercut art.

Chinese New Year, 2025

With Dr. Chang and Buddha's Light International Association members, holding red envelopes and calligraphy in front of a "Happy Chinese New Year 2025 — Year of the Snake" banner.

Visiting an antiques showroom

With Dr. Chang and a companion inside a showroom of Chinese antique furniture and porcelain, deity statues on a carved cabinet behind them.

At a harbor in Alaska

With Dr. Chang in front of a photo backdrop of a fishing harbor and snow-capped mountains, on a trip to Alaska.

At a museum in Alaska

With Dr. Chang beside a museum diorama of an indigenous Alaskan dwelling, both wearing matching shirts printed with a peacock crest.

The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum

Standing before a vintage red airplane at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, wearing the same peacock-crest shirt as the museum diorama photograph.

In a hotel lobby

With Dr. Chang in the lobby of a hotel or office building, on a trip.

Visiting a school in China

With Dr. Chang and a group of girls in matching yellow performance costumes, outside a building marked "文明單位" — a designated "civilized unit."

On the Li River, Guilin

With Dr. Chang aboard a river boat, the karst peaks of Guilin behind them.

Aboard a boat

With Dr. Chang beside a window aboard a boat, a harbor visible outside.

At St. Peter's Square

With a tour group of about two dozen in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

At a plaza in China

With Dr. Chang beside a large fountain and government building on a trip to China.

At a scenic overlook in China

With Dr. Chang before a cliffside walkway in China, a stone marker beside them.

At a garden overlook in China

With Dr. Chang on a stone balustrade walkway overlooking a misty garden in China.

Sun Princess inaugural voyage, 2024

With Dr. Chang aboard the Sun Princess on its inaugural voyage; the ship's own keepsake photo is dated March 7, 2024.

At a botanical garden

With Dr. Chang on a garden path beneath a flowering tree.

At a hotel plaza

With Dr. Chang beside a bronze elephant sculpture in a hotel plaza.

At a garden

With Dr. Chang in front of a large "LOVE" sculpture at a flower garden.

At Stonehenge

With Dr. Chang at the Stonehenge visitor center, reconstructed Neolithic houses behind them.

A harbor in Japan

With Dr. Chang overlooking a harbor in Japan, a cruise ship docked below.

At a hotel conservatory

With Dr. Chang inside an elaborately decorated hotel conservatory.

Before Egyptian-style statues

With Dr. Chang before a pair of Egyptian-style statues carved with hieroglyphics.

At Crater Lake

With Dr. Chang overlooking Crater Lake, snow still on the rim.

Boarding a cruise ship

With Dr. Chang on the pier beside the cruise ship Symphony of the Seas.

In kimono and hakama

With Dr. Chang dressed in kimono and hakama inside a traditional Japanese room.

Overlooking Naples

With Dr. Chang on a hillside overlook above Naples, Italy.

In a hotel lobby

With Dr. Chang seated in a hotel lobby with a bright yellow feature wall.

On a beach in Bali

With Dr. Chang on a beach in Bali, beneath a flower-decorated heart-shaped frame.

At a waterfall in Taiwan

With Dr. Chang before a waterfall in Taiwan.

In matching red jackets

With Dr. Chang in matching red jackets on a walk through a pine forest.

At a Hindu temple

With Dr. Chang before an elaborately carved stone temple.

On a park path in Taiwan

With Dr. Chang on a tree-lined path in Taiwan.

A rooftop sunset

With Dr. Chang on a rooftop terrace at sunset.

Under a wisteria tunnel

With Dr. Chang walking beneath a tunnel of blooming wisteria.

In the desert

With Dr. Chang walking through a desert landscape, sheltering under an umbrella.