Although born in the United States, Katherine May “Kitty” Chin’s parents taught her about the importance and richness of her Chinese Heritage. 

She married Calvin Chin in 1951. Together the couple dedicated their talents to bring together Asian community leaders and build an Asian cultural and business area in Baltimore.

Katherine was a registered dietician who taught student nurses at Johns Hopkins University. She also worked for the Baltimore County Board of Education to develop health initiatives in schools. She also taught Chinese cooking classes at the family’s business, the International Gourmet Center. Mrs. Chin was appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. She represented the city as the contact for Baltimore’s Sister City relationship with Xiamen, China, and Maryland’s sister province, Anhui.

Calvin worked in his family’s restaurant business and later attended the University of Maryland to earn a law degree. He operated the Carthay House Restaurant until Mayor Thomas J. D’Alesandro appointed him to a city tax assessor position and continued to work in government for the rest of his career.

Together, the Chins imbued Baltimore with the richness of their Chinese culture.  

Sources and more reading:

Album of Maryland Women: Vision and Action, A Women’s History Display Kit, Maryland State Department of Education and Maryland Commission for Women (date unknown)

Maryland Center for History and Culture, Katherine M. Chin Collection, accessed 09/21/26