Tien Fuh Wu

Tien Fuh Wu or Tien Fu Wu (around 18861975) was a pioneer in the anti-human trafficking movement in San Francisco, California. After being rescued in childhood from her role as a mui tsai (a child servant), she worked for decades to free Chinese immigrant women and girls from sexual slavery and indentured servitude. As the long-time aide to Donaldina Cameron, Wu dedicated her life to helping the residents of the Presbyterian Mission Home, a rescue mission in Chinatown.

Early life

Tien Fuh Wu was born in Zhejiang province of China. Her gravestone gives her birthyear as 1886. She may have been between six and ten years old. Cameron was a strict teacher and initially Wu rebelled against her, but eventually they would grow close, with Wu calling Cameron "Lo Mo," meaning "Old Mother," and Cameron calling her ward "Blessed Tien." Wu communicated with trafficked women in Cantonese and advocated for them in court. As for herself, she turned down multiple suitors, joking that "men are very useful when it comes to moving furniture."

When Cameron retired in 1934, she hoped Wu would take her place, but Wu declined, saying she didn't have the expertise, and that "an American" should take the position, as she would face prejudice as a Chinese woman. Wu retired in 1951 and moved to Palo Alto to live in the cottage next to Cameron's house. After her death, Cameron left the cottage to Wu, which allowed her financial security. Wu died in 1975, and was buried next to Cameron at the Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles.