US23 – Donaldina Cameron

Stitchers: Debbie Barnes, Janice Barnes, Sara Dunbar, Kym Lindsey, Shari Monkiewicz, Gaye Riojas, Joyce Riojas & Margaret Fergson Burns – Fremont California

Cameron moved to California with her family as a child in 1874. In 1895 she began volunteering at the Presbyterian Mission House in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Here Chinese girls were rescued from abuse and offered care and an education. Kidnapped girls were being sent to the US, some sold as household slaves, others forced into prostitution. Donaldina took part in rescues, often night-time raids conducted with axe-wielding policemen. Despite threats, Donaldina rescued nearly 3,000 girls before she retired in 1934, helping break the back of the Chinese slave trade in the US. In 1942 the old Mission House was renamed the “Donaldina Cameron House” and still stands today.

US23 Donaldina Chamshron (NicChoinnich)
Ghluais a’ Bh-ph Chamshron gu California le a teaghlach mar phàiste ann an 1874. Ann an 1895, thòisich i ag obair gu saor-thoileach aig an Taigh Mhisein Chlèireach ann an ceàrnaidh Shìonach San Francisco. An seo, bha nigheanan Sìonach air an saoradh bho dhroch dhìol agus chaidh cùram agus foghlam a thairgsinn dhaibh. Bha nigheanan a bha air an toirt am bruid air an cur don US, cuid air an reic mar thràillean taighe, feadhainn eile air an sparradh gu siùrsaireachd. Ghabh Donaldina pàirt ann an sàbhalaidhean, glè thric reudan tron oidhche air an stiùireadh le poilis le làmhthuadhan. A dh’aindeoin bagairtean, shàbhail Donaldina faisg air 3,000 nighean mus do leig i dhith a dreuchd ann an 1934, a’ cuideachadh le stad gu ìre a chur air malairt thràillean Sìonach san US. Ann an 1942, chaidh an seann Taigh Misein ath-ainmeachadh gu “Taigh Donaldina Chamshroin” agus tha e ann gus an latha andiugh.