Martha J. Wong Collection
Content Description
2 records boxes
This 3-box collection represents the activities of Dr. Martha Jee Wong, first Asian-American elected to Houston City Council. The collection focuses on her time as a member of city council from 1994 through 2000. It includes campaign materials and correspondence, publicity items from her campaigns and community events, scrapbook contents, and photographs.
Dates
- January 1993 - April 1998
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Martha J. Wong Papers must be obtained from the Houston Metropolitan Research Center or the appropriate copyright holder.
Biographical Note
Dr. Martha Jee Wong was born on January 20, 1939 in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Reagan High School in the Houston Heights and attended University of Texas in Austin, then taught in Houston city schools. In 1983, she received her PhD in Education at the University of Houston.
In 1993, Dr. Wong became the first Asian-American to be elected to Houston City Council, representing District C. She was reelected again in 1995 and ran unopposed in 1997. In 1996 she became a candidate for Harris County Tax Assessor/Collector but was defeated in the Republican primaries. She served as a member of Houston City Council from 1994 to 2000.
In 2002, Dr. Wong became the first Asian-American woman to be elected to the Texas House of Representatives, representing Houston District 134 for two terms from 2003 until 2007.
Dr. Wong has remained active in state politics as a founding member and president of Texas Asian Republican Assembly (TARA) with a platform of educating the state’s Asian community on politics and advancing cooperation between the Asian community and Texas government.
Since 2015, Dr. Wong has been serving as a board member of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Her term ends in 2021.
Extent
2.0 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement Note
Series 1: Local Campaigns and Elections
Series 2: Awards and Recognition
Series 3: Community Events
Series 4: Career Publicity
Series 5: Photographs
Series 6: Oversize Items
Photograph numbers MSS1139-0001 through MSS1139-0023 document Dr. Wong’s activities while a Houston City Council member. Photograph numbers MSS1139-0024 through MSS1139-0061 were taken by George Wong, freelance photographer, upon Dr. Wong’s election as first Asian-American to Houston City Council. Remaining photographs illustrating Dr. Wong’s career as a member of Houston City Council are unnumbered and arranged chronologically by career event.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Martha J. Wong in 1995 and in 2001.
Processed By
Patricia Smith Vredenburg, August 21, 2018
- City council members Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- District C Subject Source: Local sources
- Minority municipal officials and employees Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Municipal government Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Municipal officials and employees Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- MSS 1139: Martha J. Wong Collection
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Pat Vredenburg
- Date
- August 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
- Sponsor
- Martha J. Wong
Repository Details
Part of the Houston History Research Center Repository
