Betty Tom Chu
Betty Tom Chu | |
|---|---|
| Born | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, politician, banking executive |
| Years active | 1961–present |
| Known for | First Chinese-American woman admitted to the California State Bar; first Chinese-American woman CEO of a bank; mayor of Monterey Park, California (2006) |
| Notable work | Co-founder of East West Bank and Trust Saving Bank; founder of The Apology for the Chinese Exclusion Act Committee |
Betty Tom Chu is an American attorney, politician, and banking executive, notable for being the first Chinese-American woman to gain admission to the California State Bar and to serve as a chief executive officer of a bank. She played a pivotal role in establishing East West Bank, a major institution bridging financial markets between the United States and Asia.
Chu held the mayoral office of Monterey Park, California in 2006 and was a city council member there for two separate terms spanning from 2003 to 2012. In 2009, she pursued a congressional seat in California's 32nd district as a Republican candidate but was defeated by Judy Chu.
Early life and education
A native of San Diego, California, Chu is the daughter of Tom Kay Chu, who worked as a farmer, and Yee Siu King, an immigrant originating from Guangzhou. Inspired by her early involvement in advocating for migrant laborers on her family’s farm, she chose to study law with the aim of supporting working-class populations.
Following her graduation from Grossmont High School, Chu earned both a Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Southern California, laying the groundwork for her subsequent careers in law and banking.
Career
Chu achieved admission to the State Bar of California in June 1961, becoming the first Chinese-American female attorney in Southern California. Her legal profession was nurtured under the mentorship of Hiram Kwan, founder of the Los Angeles Chinatown law firm "Kwan, Quan, Cohen, and Lum."
In 1973, she co-established East West Federal Bank (currently known as East West Bancorp) and also co-founded Trust Saving Bank. At Trust Saving Bank, she held the roles of Chairperson and CEO, marking her as the first Chinese-American woman to head a bank in the United States.
Her academic contributions include teaching positions at California College of Law and Los Angeles Community College. Additionally, in 1992, she served on the selection committee for choosing the Chief of Police for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Chu's political career includes serving on the Monterey Park, California city council from 2003 to 2007 and again from 2009 to 2012. She was inaugurated as mayor on March 13, 2006. In 2009, she sought election to Congress representing California's 32nd district as a Republican but was unsuccessful.
She stepped down from her city council position in June 2012 due to "philosophical differences" concerning governance with fellow council members.
In 2014, Chu was instrumental in founding The Apology for the Chinese Exclusion Act Committee, which successfully lobbied for formal resolutions by the California State Senate apologizing for historical anti-Chinese laws.
At the 2016 Republican National Convention, she participated as an Alternate Delegate.
In partnership with John Gee and the Chinese American Citizens Alliance of Orange County in 2018, Chu helped achieve bipartisan Congressional approval for awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Chinese Americans who served during World War II—a measure signed into law by President Donald Trump.
Currently engaged in both local and national political spheres, Chu serves on the boards of Asian Industry B2B and the Chinese American Citizens Alliance of Orange County. She holds an Honorary Co-Chair position with Californians for Equal Rights and is among prominent signatories opposing 2020 California Proposition 16.
Personal life
She was married to Robert Chu until his death; together they have three children. Presently, she resides in Orange County, California.
Awards
- Recognized in 2005 by the Los Angeles Chinese American Pioneers in Law, presented by the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
See also
- Asian American and Pacific Islands American conservatism in the United States
- Chinese Exclusion Act
- Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
- List of first women lawyers and judges in California
External links
- Living people
- American women bankers
- American bankers
- American mayors of Chinese descent
- American politicians of Chinese descent
- Women mayors of places in California
- 20th-century American women lawyers
- 20th-century American lawyers
- California Republicans
- Asian conservatism in the United States
- Politicians from San Diego