How did 50 years go by so quickly?! I am now 68 years old, and too many of the details of my
public life have gone by in a flash. If you’d like to know more please look at Linked In or even
google me.
After Hunter, I studied at Barnard, then acquired a Masters in Social Work from NYU. With the
exception of one maternity leave almost 36 years ago, I have continually worked in
community-based non-profits ranging from a small history museum (now known as the Museum
of Chinese in America or MOCA), to a multi-service agency called Hamilton-Madison House
which provides programs dedicated to improving the lives of our neighbors in the
Chinatown/Two Bridges area in Lower Manhattan.
My husband Karl and I both retired in January 2016, at which time our daughter Amy and her
husband gave us the best retirement news ever. We became grandparents last July. I am
overjoyed---Miles is a happy and healthy little boy. Despite my fear of flying, I love seeing him
and have flown 3 times to the West Coast to spend time with all of them.
But what I also want to share with you on this occasion is to tell you how much my education
and time spent at HCHS meant to me. I am the first American-born child of working-class
immigrants from Toisan, China. My two younger sisters, May and Rose, followed me to Hunter
and we all agree that we got the best education possible and enjoyed our time at school. I may
not have spoken much (if at all) to every single one of you, but I “knew” you by name (at least). I
came from a sheltered home life and Hunter raised my consciousness---about life in other
neighborhoods, other cultures, other family histories. HCHS did that for me because I got to
meet YOU---other young women from all over the City, of different ethnicities, race, religion,
language. Talented and smart girls! Through my close friendship with some of you, whether we
trekked to Central Park with Mrs. Lilienthal, or shared a Spanish class taught by Maria
LoFrumento, or elected Mr. Peck’s “The Comic Spirit in Literature” class, my life was deeply
enriched. The wonder of a glittery night time walk on Fifth Avenue during the Christmas season
led by a classmate’s mother remains with me to this day. A quintessential New York experience,
but one which I had never experienced before then. I deeply admired and envied those of you
who composed, sang, acted and danced. The Senior Day Show and Sing, Carnival Day with the
Faculty Show, and Moving Up Day were memorable.
You did not hear much from me back then, I was a quiet girl. But being a “Hunter girl” helped me
to gain the confidence I needed to find my own voice in time, which I have used since then to
help and educate others. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you all!

Fay passed away 2020: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/10/nyregion/fay-chew-matsuda-musuem-of-chinese-americas-immigrant-died.html