1981
The Yaos began entertaining politicians and political candidates at home either for Chinese dinners or for them to meet with local Chinese and non-Chinese voters.
Esther was active at the Bay Area Republican Women’s Club and became involved in the district and state conventions committees. The GOP women admired and supported her only until she ran for Congress against another white woman, Dolly Madison MacKanna. At that time, most of the women were for MacKanna. She hosted several luncheons for the women’s club for fundraising purposes including the one on May 13, 1981. I also spoke at the luncheon about Chinese immigrants.
By mid-1981, Esther started actively seeking volunteer (non-paid) federal appointment via her contacts at both local and Washington, DC. She rallied her GOP friends’ support and recommendation during the summer of 1981. She was initially inspired by some Chinese American leaders of OCA and OCAW while she was first involved in these organizations at the national level. Soon after Reagan got elected she contacted Sheila Wilkes, the director of Presidential Personnel Office of TX to express her interest to serve.
The Yaos began entertaining politicians and political candidates at home either for Chinese dinners or for them to meet with local Chinese and non-Chinese voters.
Esther was active at the Bay Area Republican Women’s Club and became involved in the district and state conventions committees. The GOP women admired and supported her only until she ran for Congress against another white woman, Dolly Madison MacKanna. At that time, most of the women were for MacKanna. She hosted several luncheons for the women’s club for fundraising purposes including the one on May 13, 1981. I also spoke at the luncheon about Chinese immigrants.
By mid-1981, Esther started actively seeking volunteer (non-paid) federal appointment via her contacts at both local and Washington, DC. She rallied her GOP friends’ support and recommendation during the summer of 1981. She was initially inspired by some Chinese American leaders of OCA and OCAW while she was first involved in these organizations at the national level. Soon after Reagan got elected she contacted Sheila Wilkes, the director of Presidential Personnel Office of TX to express her interest to serve.
