Tonnah Her, Realtor
Fresno, CA
Being a Hmong woman today means standing up for what I believe in, voicing my opinions and ideas, having choices and options, know my self-worth and be worth. I am special because I am Hmong. I understand my culture, my traditions, and accept that there are differences in that for everyone. We have the power to create and shape ourselves and others.
Being a Hmong woman today means seizing the opportunities that weren’t given to previous generations of women and girls and having the ability to dictate your own future.”
Ying Payton, Real Estate Agent
San Antonio, Texas
Xeng Yang
Clovis, CA
We are blessed to be a great warrior along & beside our husband. Women are the great voice and action of strength, courage, perseverance & love. Our strength shines in the eye of the storm. Our courage compels us to take risks when faith is all we have. Our perseverance pushes us to endure all pain & suffering. Our love is given unselfishly because that we know is what binds everyone & everything together when all perseverance gone & done. We give all that we have so that we see the smiles on another face or that their need is met. We leave behind our own fears to conquer others fears. We strive to be all that we can even when no one notices, or no gratitude is given. We are women of strength, courage, perseverance & love!
What it means to be a Hmong Woman Today for me is…finding a balance between my cultural values and also pursuing my dreams and passion at the same time. I am proud to be a Hmong woman. It is is important to chase our dreams (whatever that may be), but not forget our roots and where we come from. It is about finding a balance, paving the way and challenging the old generation Hmong woman identity.”
Mindy Lor, Marketing Professional
Fresno, CA
Mai Lee, Nurse
Elk Grove, CA
Balancing the everyday struggle of life while deeply rooted in the Hmong culture, never forgetting where I came from. I may be educated, can change the colors of my hair and eyes, but the blood that courses through my vein is still Hmong. Even as we broaden our worldview and become more sophisticated, we realize that we still have to maintain our Hmong identity, it’s what makes us unique and differentiates us from the rest of the world.
- To sometimes be like a chameleon. To acknowledge, and interact in old and new culture.
- To realize what may be taboo in one setting may not be in another.
- To have perspective, bravery, and patience.
- To be able to respect, and love your parents even though it feels at times that your an ocean apart in communication.
- To know that you are a daughter born and raised to be married away, but yet still carry a representation of your family’s name. To be in a constant push and pull.
- To rise above it all even if it means you have to start each day with tears and be emotionally drained.
- To keep pushing forward, stay confident and strong, even when you are alone. To realize, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” because we descended from a line of warrior people.
Nkauj Xwb Tsab D’Alessandro
Modesto, CA
Laura Moua, Educator
Sacramento, CA
Hmong women today personify strength, endurance, and perseverance. We come from a unique and tough cultural upbringing where our Parents had so little–yet today, we seek to achieve our dreams along with our Parents’ forgotten dreams. For most of us, this task has fallen in our hands. This recurring fact stands out the most when I think about myself as a Hmong woman today.
Now, your turn! What does being a Hmong woman today mean to you? Share your comment below and maybe we might pick your comment to feature here next!