Afong Moy

Afong Moy was the first known female Chinese immigrant to the United States. In 1834, Moy was brought from her hometown of Guangzhou to New York City by traders Nathaniel and Frederick Carne, and exhibited as "The Chinese Lady". Announcements of her exhibitions advertised her clothing, her language, and her four-inch "little feet", a result of foot binding.

Moy was the first Chinese woman to achieve fame throughout the U.S. She toured the United States, was given press coverage, and met U.S. President Andrew Jackson. In 1835, the New York firm Risso and Browne published a lithograph of Moy, titled "The Chinese Lady".

However, Moy's popularity waned in the 1840s and records of her disappeared in 1850. Moy was not mentioned again in the newspapers and it is unclear what became of her. This policy was in effect until the mid-1800s, and meant that Westerners were only allowed to set foot on the southern port of Canton. Other sources hint that she had left China to earn money to send back to her parents in Guangzhou, who were unable to support her. Obear promised to return Moy on his next voyage to Canton in two years (however, Captain Obear re-embarked to Canton in April 1835, and Moy did not accompany him). "Miss Ching-Chang-foo"; From November 10 onwards, Moy was exhibited to the general public between 10 am and 2 pm, and then again from 5 pm to 9 pm, for the price of 50 cents.

Evidence suggests that Moy's opinions were respected in her exhibitions, and that Moy had the agency to reject audience requests. In Washington, Moy met U.S. President Andrew Jackson in early March. She is not mentioned again until the following year. Descriptions of her situation were distressing to the extent that local residents considered financing her return to China.

Moy spent long hours perfecting her appearance each day. She was said to spend her time either "at her toilet, or at her tambour". Since then it has been produced in many other venues from coast to coast.

Jamie Ford's 2022 novel The Many Daughters of Afong Moy follows seven generations of Chinese women, including a fictionalized version of Moy.