The Chinese Historical Society of America recently named three Chinese-American women as its Voice and Vision 2012 honorees - US Representative Judy Chu, journalist Manli Ho and community historian Connie Young Yu.

Journalist Manli Ho (left) and community historian Connie Young Yu, together with US Representative Judy Chu, are named by the Chinese Historical Society of America as its Voice and Vision 2012 honorees. Provided to China Daily

"As we look forward to our 50th anniversary, we are so pleased to celebrate our continuing work by honoring the outstanding achievements of these women," Sue Lee, executive director of the San Francisco-based society, said at last weekend's ceremony where the annual awards were presented.

"We believe in the importance of sharing our history in our own voice, and we take our role as stewards of the Chinese-American narrative very seriously," she said.

Founded in 1963, the CHSA is the oldest and largest organization in the United States dedicated to the documentation, study and presentation of Chinese-American history. It promotes Chinese-Americans' contributions through the use of exhibits, publications and educational programs.

Chu, the California Democrat who is chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, led the effort to adopt a resolution in the House of Representatives expressing the US government's official regret for the unjust Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, a law that restricted Chinese immigrants' rights.

Ho chronicled the story of her late father, Chinese diplomat Ho Feng-Shan, who rescued thousands of Austrian Jews from Nazi persecution during World War II by providing them providing them with exit visas to Shanghai.

Young Yu has devoted her energy over the past two decades rediscovering Chinese-American and Asian-American history that has been nearly forgotten, overlooked or even hidden because of discriminatory immigration laws.

Contact the writer at chenjia@chinadailyusa.com