Ruby Chow (1920-2008) was a Chinese-American activist and restaurateur who was active in the community for over 50 years. She was born in Seattle and grew up in what was then Chinatown (now the Chinatown International District). In 1948, Ruby and her husband Ping opened Ruby Chow’s Restaurant, which quickly became popular especially with celebrities and dignitaries. Chow became the first woman in the world to be elected to a Chong Wa chapter board in 1957, and became the first woman president of a Chong Wa chapter in 1975. Chow also became the first Asian American to be elected to the King County Council in 1973, winning reelection twice and retiring in 1985. Her district included many of Seattle’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods, and Chow focused on advocating for her constituent’s needs during her time on the council.

This image shows Ruby Chow working in her kitchen. At the time, Chow and her family lived above their restaurant.

Handwritten on sleeve: Chow, Ruby, Seattle restauranteur.
Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more): September 9, 1960.

Caption information source: “Ruby Chow (1920-2008), by Frank Chesley, HistoryLink, retrieved from https://www.historylink.org/File/8063.