Bronze statue honoring Chinese American Polly Bemis to be unveiled in Boise

Some of Idaho’s political leaders will join the Idaho Chinese Organization at noon today on the Idaho Capitol Building’s steps to unveil a bronze statue of Polly Bemis, a Chinese American immigrant and pioneer who called Idaho home for decades.

Bemis, who was born in northern China in 1853, came to Idaho around 1871. She worked as a boarding house operator, goldsmith, seamstress and nurse while settling in central Idaho, according to the application to designate her ranch on the National Register of Historic Places.

Gov. Brad Little, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, state Rep. Sue Chew, D-Boise,  and other notable Idaho figures will be present, as well as Priscilla Wegars, who wrote a biography about Bemis titled “The Life and Times of a Chinese American Pioneer.”

Students who won the Idaho Chinese Organization’s statewide Polly Bemis essay contests also will read their works during the dedication ceremony.

“Chinese Americans, such as pioneer Polly Bemis, were integral to Idaho history,” said Chew in a press release. “They weren’t outsiders, but helped build the state we know and love today. They belonged, and so do we. People from different cultures living in the same community to work together, like Polly and her husband, is the way to solve problems and continue to contribute to society. Her legacy must not be forgotten, and this is a way to not only further her story, but encourage others to learn about her contributions to Idaho.”