The Chinese  American beauty pageant began in San Francisco in 1915, an annual  enhancement to Chinatown festivities and becoming a hugely successful  national contest in 1958.  Author Connie Young Yu will discuss the  history and culture of Miss Chinatown USA, its importance to the Chinese  community during the era of Chinese exclusion and the Cold War and how  its legacy impacted the image and self-identity of Chinese women. The  presentation will include photographs from the collection of John C.  Young, Connie's father, a leader of the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of  Commerce and organizer of the first Miss Chinatown U.S.A. pageant.