Margaret Yee

Women in Public Service, Common Roles/Uncommon Lives

Margaret Yee was born in China in 1939.  She immigrated to the United States in 1962.  After arriving in Utah, Margaret married and had four children.  Margaret and her husband opened the Jade Cafe’ in downtown Salt Lake City and were successful in the restaurant business for over 50 years.  Because of their success in Salt Lake City, they opened additional restaurants in Utah and Colorado.  They also opened up the first gourmet Chinese grocery market.  Margaret is a 45 year cancer survivor. In 2008 Margaret retired in order to devote all of her time as a volunteer.  Margaret has received numerous awards because of her service including the first Raymond S. Uno Legacy Award.  She is a long standing board member of the Sister Cities of Salt Lake.  Being a 4th generation descendant of the Chinese Central Pacific Railroad workers, she has worked tirelessly to bring to the forefront the Chinese workers contribution to the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.  Margaret is the chair of the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association, organizing the Golden Spike Celebration, specifically recognizing the Chinese railroad workers.  She feels privileged to do so as a way of honoring her Chinese ancestors and heritage.