The Chinese American Democratic Club Archives covers the period from 1988 to 2000. It contains campaign material, such as election fliers, endorsements and candidate questionnaires or interviews. San Francisco local politics are viewed from this group's interaction with politicians, political groups, and coalitions. There are some papers involving state and federal politicians such as the former Lieutenant Governor of Delaware Shien Biau "S.B." Woo. The club's newsletters, administrative papers and clippings focus on political activities and civil rights important to Chinese Americans in San Francisco.

The Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC) was chartered in 1958 by the California State Democratic Central Committee and the California Democratic Council. This was a response to growing political repression and violations of Chinese American civil rights in the 1950s. This group advances the causes of Chinese Americans in the San Francisco area. The CADC Bylaws Article II Objectives states that: The aim and purpose of this Club shall be to encourage the development of meaningful political awareness within our community and to thereby foster active participation in the democratic process of government by all citizens; to encourage Chinese candidates to run for elective office; to encourage the appointment of Chinese persons to appointive positions; to demand a high standard in government to seek justice and equality for all peoples and to study, develop, and advocate issues relevant to the empowerment and civil rights of Chinese Americans. (http://www.cadcsf.org/) The club has influenced City elections throughout the 1980s and 1990s and Club leaders have served on important City Commissions, including the Airport, Planning, Port, Civil Service and Human Rights Commissions.

9 Linear Feet (12 document boxes, 1 oversize flat box)

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

The collection is open for research.