Activism
In 1912, Lee became one of six men who founded the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A) Oakland Lodge (members including Chew Keung, Wong W. Kai, Jow Pong and Chancey Chan). The organization was formally named Native Sons of the Golden State, but after the earthquake of 1906 some members moved across the Bay to Oakland where there was a growing number of Chinese Americans. All of the founding men took the opportunity to purchase a building for the organization by each placing a deposit down for the headquarters. Complications arose after purchasing the building when the previous tenants required the members to pay “remodeling fees” before they were able to move in. So, all the members proceeded to pay for these repair fees with their own money, as well still coming together to buy the building. Lee contributed the largest payment for the purchasing of the building as well as the repair fees. As a member of the Oakland Lodge, Lee fought for the civil rights, equal economical and political opportunities, and the general welfare of Chinese Americans.Lee Benevolent Association
Lee and his wife, Elizabeth, were also members of the Lee Family Benevolent Association. They were formed in the 1800s as social service organizations for new immigrants, based on their last names, which signify their home villages in China. Now, they're very politically powerful; the Chinese Six Companies, one of the city's oldest benevolent organizations, serves as an umbrella organization for all the family groups. The Lee Family Benevolent Association is responsible for swearing in the first Chinese American mayor of San Francisco.Chinese Community Methodist Church
Lee became a lay leader in the church after he set up his dental practice in the early 1900s. Charles' father-in-law, Chan Hon, was a reverend at the church; his father, Lee Tong Hay, was also a reverend. The church was originally established for schools and to help women escape slavery and prostitution; now, the organization serves as a religious worshipping place for Chinese Americans in Oakland. The Lees become known to exemplify the Chinese Community Methodist Church's tradition of community involvement and social justice.References
* Yung, Judy (1995). "Unbound Feet, A Social History of Chinese Women in San Francisco". University of California Press * Armentrout, Eve and Ma, Jeong Huei (1982). "The Chinese of Oakland, Unsung Builders". * Wong, William (2004). "Images of America, Oakland's Chinatown". Arcadia Press. * Christina Yu (2017). "Brief History of Oakland Lodge" * Chinese Community UMC (2017). "Clara Elizabeth & Charles Goodall Lee" * Heather Knight (2011). "Lee's Family Association: A Chinatown Powerhouse" {{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Charles Goodall Chinese-American history American dentists 1881 births 1973 deaths Activists from San Francisco University of the Pacific (United States) alumni American Methodist clergy 20th-century dentists Methodists from California American people of Chinese descent