Chinese American Oral History: Maggie Gee ’48, one of two Chinese American women pilots during World War II

“Gee’s stories represent two generations of `Rosies’ — her mother, Ah Yoke Gee, had worked as a welder in the Richmond wartime factories, and Maggie herself had also worked in the factories, as a draftsperson at Mare’s Island, and also flew with the WASP’s, testing planes and flying transport missions. Since that period, she has maintained an active presence in local Democratic politics, and is able to provide long-term perspectives on Berkeley politics and Chinese Americans in the Berkeley area. The interview provides much-needed perspectives on extra-Chinatown Chinese American communities, inter-racial community-building in Berkeley, and women in the workforce and local politics. Maggie Gee also shares amazing stories of her love of flight, training to become a pilot, and what the experience meant to her in terms of class, gender, and politics.”

 

KJ