Who Was Faith Sai So Leong?
Faith Sai So Leong was a Chinese immigrant adopted by American Christian Missionaries.At the age of 12, she moved to San Francisco’s Chinatown to live with her cousin. An ambitious, educated, and mechanically minded girl, she decided there she wanted to pursue a career in dentistry. In 1905, she graduated from the School of Physicians and Surgeons and was 1 of only 3 female students in her entire graduating class.
Faith became the first Chinese woman to ever receive a degree in dentistry and accomplished it in just a mere 11 years during her time in the U.S. She went on to become an excellent dentist and relocated to Oakland where she opened her own practice and started a family with her husband. During her life, she truly embodied the story of the “American Dream” and exceeded the overwhelming odds stacked against her – her story will continue to inspire many.
From all of us at Adventure Dental and Orthodontics, we want to thank and honor Faith Sai So Leong for being a trailblazer. By being a pioneering part of the emerging women’s movement, she helped clear the path for so many other women in dentistry.
Would you like to schedule a dentistry appointment with Adventure Dental and Orthodontics? Call our Santa Clarita pediatric dentistry office to learn about our services. You can also use an online contact form if you prefer.