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The Picture Bride: Lee Geum Yi, a Korean Woman's Journey to America

Christopher Woods

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The Picture Bride

by Lee Geum-yi

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	510 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	113 pages

Lee Geum Yi was born in Korea in 1877. She was the daughter of a poor farmer. When she was 16 years old, her parents arranged for her to marry a Korean man named Kim Chang Ho. Geum Yi had never met her husband before, but she agreed to the marriage because she believed it was her duty to obey her parents.

Geum Yi and Chang Ho were married in a traditional Korean ceremony. After the wedding, Geum Yi moved in with her husband's family. She quickly realized that she had made a mistake. Chang Ho was a cruel and abusive man. He beat her and forced her to work long hours in the fields. Geum Yi was miserable.

In 1903, Geum Yi heard about a program that was bringing Korean women to the United States to be picture brides. Picture brides were women who were chosen by Korean men living in the United States. The men would send photographs of themselves to Korea, and the women would choose a husband based on the photograph. Geum Yi decided to apply for the program. She hoped that she would be chosen by a kind and gentle man who would treat her with respect.

Geum Yi was one of the lucky women who was chosen to come to the United States. She arrived in San Francisco in 1904. She was met by her husband, Lee Yong Ik. Yong Ik was a kind and gentle man. He treated Geum Yi with respect, and he made her feel loved and cherished.

Geum Yi and Yong Ik settled in Los Angeles. They had two children, a boy and a girl. Geum Yi worked hard to create a good life for her family. She learned English, and she became involved in the Korean community. She was a strong advocate for women's rights, and she helped to establish the Korean Women's Association of Los Angeles.

Geum Yi died in 1969 at the age of 92. She was a remarkable woman who overcame many challenges to build a better life for herself and her family. Her story is an inspiration to all who strive for a better tomorrow.

The Significance of Lee Geum Yi's Story

Lee Geum Yi's story is significant for several reasons. First, it sheds light on the experience of Korean picture brides. Picture brides were women who were often forced to marry men they had never met. They faced many challenges in their new country, including discrimination, language barriers, and cultural differences. Geum Yi's story shows how one woman overcame these challenges to build a successful and fulfilling life.

Second, Geum Yi's story is a reminder of the importance of women's rights. Geum Yi was a strong advocate for women's rights, and she helped to establish the Korean Women's Association of Los Angeles. She believed that women should have the same opportunities as men, and she worked to make that happen.

Third, Geum Yi's story is an inspiration to all who strive for a better tomorrow. She overcame many challenges in her life, but she never gave up. She believed in herself, and she worked hard to achieve her goals. Geum Yi's story shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.

Lee Geum Yi was a remarkable woman who made a significant contribution to Korean American history. Her story is an inspiration to all who strive for a better tomorrow.