JIANG BIBO (B. 1939) Portrait of a Lady, 1985PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF LILY LEE CHENJIANG BIBO (B. 1939)Portrait of a Lady, 1985 Woodcut, color on paper, titled, numbered 6/10, signed Jiang Bibo, dated 1985. 43 x 31in (109.3 x 78.7cm)江碧波 風韻千古 木刻版畫 1985年作Lily Lee Chen was born in 1936 in Tianjin, China. Her father, Li Yaolin (1901-1994) was a prominent professor and member of the Kuomingtang. After the Communist Party of China took control of Tianjin in 1949, Lily and her family fled to Taiwan for safety. Growing up in Taiwan, Lily discovered her natural aptitude for public speaking. Her remarkable abilities did not go unnoticed, and in 1956, she was chosen as a representative of Taiwan for the prestigious Youth Specialists Program. This program, fostered by the U.S. Department of State, aimed to forge meaningful connections between the United States and China, a testament to Lily's exceptional talent and potential. Just a year later, Lily decided to pursue higher education in the United States, attending San Francisco State University and later The University of Washington. It was there that she met her husband, Paul, and together they started a family, welcoming their children, Helen and Arthur.In 1969, Lily's family relocated to Monterey Park, California, marking the beginning of her remarkable journey in public service. Encouraged by the local community, she ventured into politics and made her first bid for city council in 1981. Driven by a strong commitment to enhancing accessibility in the electoral process, Lily successfully developed a bilingual voter's registration guide. Despite a narrow defeat by a margin of 28 votes, she remained undeterred. In 1982, Lily ran for city council once again, securing an overwhelming victory that surpassed all previous records in Monterey Park. This triumph not only solidified her position as the city's Mayor but also made her a trailblazer as the first female Chinese-American mayor in the United States.Lily Lee Chen's indelible imprint on Monterey Park and her dedication to public service resonate as an inspiring testament to the power of determination and compassion. Her story continues to inspire generations to dream boldly and embrace the potential for change.