CHINESE ACTRESS ANNA MAY WONG BECOMES THE FIRST ASIAN WOMAN TO RECEIVE THIS HONOUR.
When you dream of something, you achieve it, that is what Anna May Wong Chinese actress dreamt of. At the age of 11, she knew she had to do something big. When she reached 14 years of age, she landed her first role in a movie. Over the years, she became the first Asian American to reach Hollywood and attain stardom. She was known for her bold and expressive eyes and as a flapper-style actress she was ‘one of the most unforgettable actresses of Hollywood ever got”.
Even when she is not alive, she is getting recognition by getting her name printed on the quarter coins, but this is not the first time that the United States has done this, even before faces like MAYA ANGELOU AND SALLY RIDE got this acknowledgement and have become a part of US quarter coins.
On Monday, the production of the coins will begin having Wong’s close-up face resting on the shiny coin.
This will be a token of appreciation to honour Wong’s career which was like a roller coaster ride. Initially, things were not easy for her, she failed miserably to get meaningful roles in films. Being an Asian Actress, she faced a lot of racism in the era when “YELLOW FACE” was gaining popularity and anti-miscegenation laws. A history professor quoted that decades before civil rights were generated, Wong grappled with how to become an Asian American actress.
Her first role as the main lead was “THE TOLL OF THE SEA” released in 1992 and she appeared in films like “The Theif Of Baghdad” with actor Doughlas Fairbank in 1924 and also in SHANGAI EXPRESS with Marlene Deitrich in 1932. Not only this, she made her mark on the US television show “THE GALLERY OF MADAME LIU-TSONG as the first Asian actress in which she portrayed herself as a detective.
Criticism was made, and she faced a lot of discrimination which made her shift her career to Europe where she got to work in French, German and English films.
Having done more than 60 films, she got her name engraved on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Not only she was a phenomenal actress, but she was also a global icon who made her name in the fashion industry. Her signature bags and long fingernails got so famous that now they will be seen on US Coins along with her picture.
Talking about her family, Wong’s father was a proprietor of a laundry company which was located on North Figurena Street located in Los Angeles, he used to distribute 25 cents to all his seven children. She was born in 1905, her father was disappointed as he wanted a son.
She worked hard in studios and did some plays, and during this period DOUGLAS Fairbanks, who was the king of Hollywood gave her the big break in the 1924 fantasy film “The thief of Baghdad” The film went on to be the biggest production made ever in history and the role of “Mongol slave” made Anna a global star. She also travelled to other countries and made her films in Paris, Berlin and London. She also spoke about the racist culture in Hollywood.
The Director of U.S mint spoke about her “She was the first Chinese American woman that we had acting in films and television,”.Although she couldn’t get many awards for her films which she should have received, she opened the doors for many other people who want to try their luck in this field.
Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, the first woman to be the head of the Department of Treasury said about honouring Wong “I’m proud that these quarters honour women from diverse communities who have made remarkable contributions to the history of America, including a trailblazer like Anna May Wong,”
She was loved by her fans as they wrote her letter and poems. The American quarter’s Programs honour Anna May Wong for her courageous personality and who personified the screen with her multi-dimensional roles, the quarter will be a momentum and token of love and appreciation For Anna who overcome the challenges she faced in her life.
Anna died very early, at the age of 56 in 1961.
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