Collected Writings Of Flora Belle Jan [Hardcover]

Web Text This is the first time the writings of Flora Belle Jan, the Chinese American flapper and writer, are assembled into a single volume. The book consists of some one hundred pieces of prose and poetry, available from microfilm of newspapers and magazines that ceased publication prior to 1950. A native of Fresno, California, Flora Belle Jan was born in 1906. She lived above Yet Far Low, a restaurant owned by her parents, at 1007 ? China Alley. Her world at home was Chinese. Her world at school, with teachers and classmates, was American. Many of her classmates were also children of immigrant parents. Her own parents, Jan Chong and Jan Yom, had separately emigrated from Southern China in the late 1800's. Her classmates' parents included immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Russia, England, Mexico, and Armenia. In her early years, the country of origin of the parents did not hinder the formation of close friendships among girls with shared interests and activities. Flora Jan and her friends enjoyed writing poems and stories, and aspired to careers in literature and journalism. She received encouragement from Grace May North, editor of the Sunnyside Club column in The Fresno Herald. Jan's earliest works appeared in this column. Her topics were typically American, involving for example, a selfish prince, a faithful dog, a poor newsgirl, and poems about patriotism. In only two stories, The Chinese Girl's Valentine, and The Contest, did she introduce a Chinese connection. Another important person in Flora Jan's life was Amy Purcell, Superintendent of the Baptist Chinese Mission in Fresno. She recognized Flora's talents. With Miss Purcell's help, the Chinese Students Club of Fresno published The Trailmaker. Flora Jan, the only female member of the Club, played a major role in the publication. Flora Jan's parents did not support her desire to further her education. She worked at various jobs and at age 18, earned money for college by writing feature stories for The San