Amy Guen, now 101 years old, has spent her life advocating for the Chinese American community, especially in Boston’s Chinatown, where she was born and raised.
Her journey began much earlier, tied to her family’s history and the early days of Chinese labor in America. Guen’s grandfather, a scholar and herbalist, was recruited by a railroad company in the 1800s to care for Chinese laborers who lacked access to traditional herbal medicine.
As time went on, Guen’s father continued this legacy, establishing a reputation for their family in Boston’s Chinatown.
Guen’s return to the United States in 1946 marked the beginning of her active involvement in community service. Upon returning, she found herself helping Chinese patients at local hospitals who faced language barriers.
“That’s when I met people there, in the hospital, and they said that I should study medical social work,” Guen recalled.
With determination, she pursued her education and earned a Master of Social Work degree from Boston College. In 1965, she founded the Chinese American Civic Association, which has since evolved into the Asian American Civic Association (AACA).
The organization was started with contributions from her relatives and like-minded individuals who shared the goal of uplifting Chinatown.
Within just two years, the civic association had flourished and developed three significant divisions, one of which eventually transformed into the South Cove Community Health Center. Today, this center is known as the largest Asian primary care provider in Massachusetts, serving countless individuals in need of health services.
Another division became the Golden Age Center, dedicated to offering programs for elderly Chinese residents, while the Multiservice Center provides crucial immigration and citizenship counseling.
In addition to these vital services, Guen initiated a newsletter that would grow into the Sampan, a newspaper that remains an essential source of information for the community.
“Originally, we called it the CACA newsletter,” Guen reminisced about the early days of the publication, highlighting the collaborative effort with early founders like Anna Yee, the late Ron Con, and Eugene Tong.
Under the guidance of Gloria Chun from Hawaii, the newsletter transformed into a full-fledged newspaper, allowing for broader community outreach and engagement.
Guen expressed immense pride in the accomplishments of the AACA, noting, “Our health center is better than all the other health centers in Boston.”
She emphasized the quality of service provided, especially for immigrants who struggle with English, declaring, “All the immigrants who come in who do not have English capabilities get excellent service. Our AACA is better than other social service agencies.”
For Guen, the most rewarding aspect of her work is the people she has met and the relationships she has fostered throughout her career.
She fondly remembers the original members of the Chinese American Civic Association, all educated individuals dedicated to enriching Chinatown. Guen speaks of the continued commitment from those involved with the AACA today.
“I get to meet all these people who continue the project I started. That’s the most important thing,” she said, expressing joy in witnessing the organization thrive under new leadership.
Now in her retirement, Guen maintains a strong connection to the causes she has championed, despite the physical challenges that come with her age.
“Because of my age, I don’t have the physical ability to do all the things I want to do. A lot of people still call me up, wanting help. I have to sit down and think how much I can help them,” she admitted.
Moreover, Guen’s commitment to service remains steadfast. “My principle is this: I’m born with potential. My life is to make my potential useful and helpful to serve,” she stated passionately.
When asked about her health and longevity, Guen humbly attributed her well-being to a higher power, saying, “I have to give God that credit. I don’t know why.”
Guen’s life story not only reflects her personal journey but also serves as a testament to the resilience and solidarity of Boston’s Chinatown community.
image source from：sampan
