Chinatown's Angry Angel: The Story of Donaldina Cameron

by Mildred Crowl Martin

Book by Martin, Mildred Crowl

Genres: Nonfiction, History

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Lady Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the stuff of movies; human trafficking combined with sexual slavery, police that for years looked the other way until a new Blue Angel took over, detective work to find the locations of girls wanting rescue, transformed lives and, ultimately, a transformed culture that, well into the 20th century, determined sexual slavery of Asian women in California to be unacceptable. Behind it all was a prim, single, determined, Scottish Presbyterian missionary.

Donaldina Cameron was born in the Victorian era, but behaved like Wonder Woman when conducting dashing raids to recapture girls and Mother Theresa in her selfless, loving care for her "daughters." She gave her life to physically and spiritually rescuing enslaved girls and women.

I wish Donaldina Cameron was commonly known among Californians. She was a true hero to women who were initially unprotected by Caucasian law and society because they were Chinese, and regarded as little more as slave vaginas, tied to a bed, by Chinese men.

[Helena Sheibler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading in schools. Every american should know who this woman is. I'm confident had she been a man, Americans would have heard of this person. It's shameful that they don't know who she is.

[Sandy Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I ever read. It's the story of a little known hero of the American West. You will not be able to put it down. Donaldina Cameron was a true American hero.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story about an amazing woman. Can't believe I hadn't heard of her before!