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Lanora Tom

Lanora is the daughter of George Francis Herbert Lewis, a C.A.C.A. member who believed in civil rights. Lanora moved from Fresno to Los Angeles after WWII. Lanora married WWII Army Air Corps veteran William Yuck San Tom, who later was elected the C.A.C.A.L.A. Lodge president (1982-83). Lanora discusses her years with C.A.C.A. when her children were young, and when women were not allowed to become members but could join the Women’s Auxiliary. She gives her perspective of C.A.C.A. and its importance to the community.

Early life

       I was born in Fresno, and my father, George Francis Herbert Lewis, was a C.A.C.A. member in Fresno and for a short while, in LA. The Fresno Lodge has been closed. My father believed in civil rights. One time at the restaurant a person wouldn’t pay and he started bothering the Chinese workers. My father wanted to help them out so he fought with them so the guy left. Both my parents were born in the U.S. My father was a farmer, but he was very handy and had all kinds of odd jobs. He managed a pool hall at some point and then he was a chef. He spoke English and several Chinese dialects. He would be able to write letters for others – even for an admirer of the actress, Anna May Wong, at one point. Ray Lewis, my father’s brother, opened up Rice Bowl in Central Plaza (Madam Wong’s business was there later). My father came down to work as assistant manager of the restaurant. He decided to branch out and worked for the May Company. My father’s mother was busy in Bakersfield too – selling whatever she could. At some point she bought some stocks which was unusual at that time. Before moving down to LA, she was in wholesale egg business in the Bakersfield area her second son John. (After the war my father moved to Lincoln Heights on North Broadway. Later all of the family except my older brother Leonard Lewis moved to LA.)

I came down to Los Angeles after World War II and did secretarial work. I met Fong Cum-Check aka William Yuck Sang Tom at a social dance at USC. Bill had come as a paper son when he was about fourteen. He had volunteered for the United States Air Force in 1942 during World War II. Then he went to Berkeley and then optometry school in Chicago. IN 1954 he opened his optometry practice in LA Chinatown. We were married in 1956, and we would have two children: Wesley and Jacqueline. Wesley joined the practice in Chinatown with his father. Jacqueline was a home executive and after her children were grown, she continued her real estate ventures. (He retired from optometry in 2002).

Experiences with CACA

       My husband was involved in the Los Angeles Chinese American Citizens Alliance even before we were married. He was also involved in a Louie Fong Kwong (Sui Yeung Tong) family association near Broadway and Bunker Hill – near the motel. He always believed in civic service and helping out the community. He was president of the Los Angeles Lodge of the CACA from 1982 to 1983. In the 1970s, the Lodge had a Women’s Auxiliary. Women did a lot of the social activities; they took care of the children when the men were in the meetings. We had a lot of young children at that time. The annual Christmas party and potluck was held at the lodge. The Children looked forward to it. After the performances, Santa Claus (George Tom) would arrive. The children would look at him waiting for their gift. With better understanding of equal rights, they let women become full members in 1977. I took on some elected positions too – sergeant of arms, secretary. Lily Lum Chan was Marshall. Some women became presidents, and they were very capable. There were Daisy Ma (2009-10), Suellen Cheng (2013), and Annie Yee (2016-2017). The Lodge accepted all members so people were quite diverse: first generation, American-born, college-educated, teachers, professionals, business owners, and restaurant workers. At the meetings, we spoke English. In the 50s Some of the members donated the funds for the down payment on the property on Bamboo Lane. I remember Hong Lui, Wally Quan’s father, Howard Quon, Irvin Lai and the others – including my husband – pledged to pay the mortgage. Everybody chipped in; I think it was about $350 for us. C.A.C.A. members took money out of their pocket to help the group. At one point, we had a debate about selling the Lodge and perhaps purchasing a building on Yale Street. But they didn’t move there and decided to sell the building. We started a Community Action group in the 2010s.

       CACA started in San Francisco in 1895, and the Los Angeles Lodge was the one the first branches in 1912. CACA Leaders like Y. C. Hong were very instrumental in the 1930s with the development of New Chinatown. The group wanted to help new immigrants and gain civil rights. We are always stronger if you work as a group. If you protest, people will listen to you.