Immigrant Stories: Taiwan

Sheow Hwey Chang (“Showay”) was born in Chung-Hwa, Taiwan. Chung-Hwa City is known as the “Bamboo City” located on the eastern coast. She moved from her home in Taiwan to the bustling city of Chicago in 1970, after her fiancé received a residency in gynecology at Chicago hospital. Shortly after arrival, the two were married and began a family of their own. Showay spent the next few years juggling between raising their three children and helping out in her husband’s office. Sometime later, she began taking art classes at the local community college and participating in many Taiwanese organizations throughout the city. Soon, she was not only a community artist and leader, but also teaching art classes at community colleges and universities across St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois. She proudly displays her artwork in a glass case at the Saint Louis Public Library which she frequents. Showay reminisces about her first months here in the U.S., “It was freezing… It was so cold and our apartment was next to Michigan Lake. Looks like a big ocean!” Many days and nights were spent crying in their tiny studio apartment. Advised not to walk the streets alone, Showay dealt with the shock of being confined to her tiny “box” apartment, without a friend and homesick for her beloved Taiwan.

Today Showay describes her personality as a positive one that helped her get through those first initial months. It was through encouragement from her graphic design professor that she learned not to be embarrassed by areas she felt she lacked. Her professor took time to teach her the basics of using a computer and before she knew it, she was designing logos for t-shirts and posters. Today, Showay shows no signs of slowing down. She can be found giving presentations on Taiwanese culture at the St. Louis Science Center, displaying her artwork at the Festival of Nations, participating in Tea ceremonies or transporting her children from violin lessons to sports practices. She may not have come to the U.S. on her own accord, but she has made every effort to make St. Louis her home and to raise outstanding children. It’s no surprise that she is so dearly beloved at the International Institute of St. Louis. Her positive attitude and willingness to support the community has made her a standout citizen.