A photographic exhibit commemorates Madame Chiang Kai-shek's historic visit to the United States in 1943. It highlights her address to the U.S. Congress and her connection with the American people. Mayling Soong and America officially opens July 14-18, 2003 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. It then tours selected cities, hosted by various institutions and organizations.
It was in February, 1943 that President and Mrs. Roosevelt invited Madame Chiang to the White House. Intelligent, articulate, and charming, she left a deep and lasting impression. Her unique qualities have helped bring the American and Chinese peoples closer together. Mayling Soong was educated in America and returned to China in 1917. As wife of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, she gave support to him in leading China, especially through the critical war years from 1937. She is the only leading figure from World War II living today.
The photographs in Mayling Soong and America are presented in the same sequence as her 1943 tour: Washington, DC, then New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The accompanying text draws from contemporary press coverage and highlights excerpts from her speeches. Photographs of the early part of her life and some of subsequent visits to Washington round out the exhibit. (Source: Asian Pacific Institute news release).