Chi Che Wang

Chi Che Wang (1894 – 1979), born in Suzhou, China, was educated in Japan before being sent to the US to study at the Walnut Hill School in Massachusetts and Wellesley College. She continued her education at the University of Chicago, earning a masters degree and a Ph.D. in chemistry and nutrition. Dr. Wang was not only the first Chinese woman to teach at the University of Chicago but the first Chinese woman to teach at any US college. Research and teaching positions at the Michael Reese Hospital, Mayo Clinic and Northwestern University followed. In 1943, she was named an assistant professor of physiology at the Northwestern’s Medical School and did her research on pediatric kidney disease at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Dr. Wang was one of the founding members of the Chicago Chinese Women’s Club and participated in many civic efforts in Chicago.

Why this stop? The Brown Line Diversey stop is four blocks north of where Children’s Memorial Hospital once stood.

Women’s L Project Connections—In April 1929, the University of Chicago recognized the leadership of women from a variety of fields. Among those honored with Chi Che Wang were Ida B. Wells Barnett, Eunice Tietjens, Mary Bartelme, The speaker for the program was Jane Addams whose address was on the progress of women becoming world leaders.