R.I.P. Ruby Chow

Ruby Chow: 1920-2008

Most Georgetown residents are only familiar with the name, Ruby Chow, as a park at the northend of Boeing field. Yet, Ruby Chow was the first Asian American on the King County Council, elected in 1973 and serving three terms before retiring in 1985.

She was a larger than life figure in the Chinese community. Ruby and her husband Ping owned the first Chinese restaurant outside of Chinatown. While active in the community she campaigned to demystify Chinese culture, inviting the general public to Chinese New Year celebrations and other community events, publicizing positive images of Chinatown.

For such a feisty woman, it would seem she would deserve a larger tribute. Something more than a little used park, under the flight path located at north end of a runway.

You can't even fly a kite at Ruby Chow Park.