The Women's New Life Movement Association was founded in 1938 in response to the Sino-Japanese war in China.The association collected clothes,money and medical supplies,and raised funds to relieve the suffering and starvation of war victims and orphaned children in China-$2,000-to $ 3,000 each year.Along with the Women's Auxiliary to the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, many Chinese American women and girls assited to organizing rallies and boycotts of goods made in Japan, and appealed to women to wear cotton hosiery instead of Japanese silk stockings. These launched a series of funding activities under the theme of a "Rice Bowl". The second generation Chinese American organized bazaars, fashion shows and theatrical and dance production to raise money, while also providing the Chinese-Amirican community with entertainment"
Later in the summer of 1938, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association conducted the first of the modern Chinese -American festivals in Old Chinatown, China City and New Chinatown. A three day celebration of the Moon Festival with major parades held on the thoroughfares of Los Angeles connected all three Chinatowns to raise funds to support the China War Relief. In 1939, the Chinese Patriotic Society boycotted Japanese goods and put an embargo on war materials to the aggerssor countries. The whole Chinese community,including women and children, participated.
By Sharad Chandra Shukla
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