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Hi there!
I am a first generation Hmong-American. My parents were refugees of the Vietnam War and were resettled in Missoula, Montana in the early 1990s. I am the oldest of 6 kids. I grew up in a family oriented culture and lived in a multigeneration household. So I have always had one foot in the traditional expectations of my culture and one foot in the American culture, where anything is possible.
Hmong is my first language so I didn’t learn English until I went to school. And from that moment, I was given the role of translator for parents, grandparents, other family members.
Growing up, money was always tight, so I spent summers out in my parents’ garden growing and harvesting vegetables to then sell at my family’s booth at the Missoula Farmer’s Market. I spent many early Saturday mornings getting to know my local community.
During these times, my community also showed up and helped us in every way they could. They helped my family and me build a strong foundation to stand on and make the U.S. feel like home. This is something that I carry with me wherever I go– to give back and help build my community stronger so everyone can feel like they’re home.
I came to Oregon to attend Willamette University College of Law (go Bearcats!). I have always been interested in politics, especially in local government because it was where I could see the impact on my everyday life, my neighbors, and my city.
My husband and I were attracted to Ward 6 by all the new housing development. We found a beautiful place that was in our rent budget. One of the best things we discovered about Ward 6 was that we were right in the middle of everything! Just a few minutes’ drive to Fred Meyer and all the restaurants and shops on Lancaster but also just a few minutes to downtown Salem. I can proudly say I can navigate around Salem without getting lost about 95% of the time!
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With all the great things about Ward 6, I also noticed some things that concerned me—particularly pedestrian safety and traffic. So I went to my neighborhood association to voice my concerns and seek solutions. It was here where I got to know my neighbors and learned that they also shared the same concerns I did. They also brought other concerns to my attention and I have been active ever since.
My day job is a family law attorney here in Salem–helping families navigate the legal system during a stressful and uncertain part of their lives.
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​Outside of work and my community engagement, I enjoy reading fiction novels, bird watching from my living room, and my husband and I enjoy taking dance lessons—we know how to waltz, foxtrot, and west coast swing a bit. My furcat, Luck, would shamelessly shake your hand for a treat and a pet.
