Remembering Anna May Wong through pictures and her own words; Wong is the first Asian American to be featured on U.S. currency

First announced this time last year, the time has come — Anna May Wong will officially become the first Asian American to be featured on U.S. currency. While many are celebrating the moment, others are wondering why an actress they’ve never heard of was chosen for the honor. 

Born in Los Angeles, Wong appeared in more than 60 films and achieved international success despite obstacles she faced due to racism and discrimination. Wong was often relegated to smaller roles with Asian stereotypes. Because of anti-miscegenation laws in the United States, studios would not permit interracial kissing and romantic relationships, which further limited Wong’s opportunities. During this period in Hollywood, it was common for white and other non-Asian actors be to be cast in Asian roles. "Rather than real Chinese, producers prefer Hungarians, Mexicans, American Indians for Chinese roles,” Wong once said.

In 1928, Wong decided to pursue a career in Europe due to her ongoing limitations in the U.S. She returned to the U.S. in 1930 for a starring role in Broadway’s “On the Spot.” Upon her return, she was only allowed to re-enter after going to the Immigration and Naturalization Service for a new certificate of identity. Again, this was her home country, she was born here. Even though she was a third-generation American, she was considered a foreigner because of her Chinese ancestry.

In 1937, Wong was famously passed over for the role of O-Lan, a Chinese role in the film “The Good Earth.” Instead, Wong was offered the role of a conniving concubine, which she turned down. "You're asking me — with Chinese blood — to do the only unsympathetic role in the picture, featuring an all-American cast portraying Chinese characters,” she said. Luise Rainer, a white actress, was cast in the lead role and went on to win an Oscar for her performance.

Keep reading to learn more about Anna May Wong, the trailblazing Chinese American actress that will soon be seen on 300+ million U.S. quarters.