In 2014, we have witnessed several emerging Hmong women who have created a new boundary. Phoua Chang (Porsha), our Miss Hmong United 2015, is definitely one of them and deserved to be highlighted in here!
We are most inspired and proud of Porsha’s most recent success as Miss Hmong United. Phoua has done many notable projects and we want to know them all but as a start, this interview focused specifically on her experience as a pageant contestant.
Porsha – Miss Hmong United, 2015
Annie: What motivated and inspired you to compete for the Ms. Hmong United title?
Porsha: There are a few reasons to why I entered the Miss Hmong United pageant but the main one is empowerment. Growing up I felt I didn’t have the empowerment that, say, a Hmong boy, would received. I felt the pageant is not only an empowering instrument for young women (myself included) but also a great platform for me to deliver my message of empowerment. I hope to empower the community, my pageant sisters, and my students to strive for their goals even if some people may not support or understand them.
Annie: Specifically when did you decide you want to participate in the beauty pageant competition?
Porsha: I was 16 when Sacramento Hmong New Year held its’ first pageant. I didn’t know anything about pageantry at the time but I wanted to challenge myself so I entered. Growing up I always felt that only the boys can have influence in the community so I wanted to use this opportunity to prove to myself and others that girls can be influential as well.
Annie: I absolutely love your self-designed Hmong costume. Can you please tell us again what does each piece symbolize?
Porsha: My self-design outfit is inspired by the courageous Hmong warriors throughout
Hmong history with each piece having a special meaning:
Porsha’s amazing self-designed costume
- My necklace (paug,) which is a symbol of the Hmong culture, symbolizes cultural pride.
- The white and black strip (siv ceeb) wrapped around throughout my outfit, which traditionally indicates a Hmong woman’s single status, symbolizes my strong independent nature.
- My arms are wrapped with two different color cloths. The left arm is wrapped in blue, and recognizes the Hmong community still in china, and the right, in red, for those of us that have migrated out of china.
- Around my waist is the “hlaab” (sash) of the same colors: red and blue. This time, blue represent the Mekong River that we had to cross to escape the persecution in Laos, and red to represent the blood and the tears our grandparents shed in their sacrifice for our freedom today.
- The colors I chose (red and blue) which represented division, obstacles, and suffering, combined with the white from my siv ceeb now represents the new world, a land of opportunity and freedom.
- My “sev” (waist apron), which is made of “ntaub maaj” (hemp – a fabric used historically by the Hmong), is dyed in “nkaaj” ( batik) and is a reminder that our history is dyed in us and cannot be erased so we should instead wear it proudly.
- The shoulder cape design is from the traditional green Hmong paj ntaub (embroidery designs). The design represents my clan of origin (Hmoob ntsuab Hmoob moos pheeb) and the cape represents my warrior-ship.
- I concluded my outfit with my sword. The 18 piece strip siv ceeb on the handle of the sword represents the 18 clan in our community.
“ Kuam peb 18 xeem tsuas muaj nyob ntse quas plag le tsaab ntsis ntaaj nyaj ntawm nuav es txham tsis muaj leej twg lug txwv txav tau. Es kuam peb tsoom Hmoob tsuas lug nyob thooj sab koom ntsws, koj tuav kuv npaab kuv tuav koj pwg, lug ua phooj ua ywg. Tso txuj kev sib ntaus sib tua pov tseg es lug peb koom teg nce hlo ib qeb lawm yaav tom ntej os Hmoob.”
Annie: Why did you choose to go with the Ms. Hmong United title instead of the Miss Hmong International?
Porsha: I actually competed for the Ms. Hmong International in 2012/2013 as well: I placed 2nd runner up. Although I support both events, I find that I share more of my visions with that of United Hmong Council’s vision: “United with equal opportunity”. I support the idea of a free Hmong New Year Celebration, because I believe it should be about the community coming together to celebrate. Also, having a representative from each clans involved in the organization promotes equality and unity.
Annie: Tell us about your passion and list some of the amazing projects you have done?
Porsha: One of my passion is filmmaking. I find it to be a great way to deliver my messages to a wider audience. Some of the short films and their messages are as followed:
“Ib Sij Huam” / “In a glance” -2013. To fight against infidelity.
“Mi Tes, Mi Taw” / “Hands and feet” -2014. To promote love and compassion within the family.
“Tsev Xaw Naag” / “Leaky roof” -2015. To bring awareness and fight against domestic violence.
Annie: What can we expect to see more coming from you in the near future?
Phoua: In the near future I would like to explore a few more topics that affect the Hmong community. One major one that I’m anxious to dwell into is the spiritual aspect of the Hmong.
Annie: What were the first few steps you took to start and prepare you for the competition?
Porsha: I think my first step was making the decision to enter. I was hesitant at first, ironically, because I was afraid of being judged, not by the pageant judges but by everyone else who knows me. However, I decided that this pageant will serve as the perfect closure to the youth chapter of my life. For reassurance, I wrote myself a letter with my reasons and visions, which reminded me that win or lose my purpose is more than just competing. With that state of mind, I made the decision, and everything else slowly came into place.
Annie: What have been your biggest challenges so far with this experience?
Porsha: My biggest challenge with this experience was breaking the news to those that know me that I was going to compete in the pageant. The thought of being judged and criticized weighed heavily on my mind even though I know that most would support me. I’ve encountered so many people who have questioned why I would involve myself with something as “shallow” as a “beauty” pageant, that I was afraid it would hurt my reputation as a teacher.
Annie: How did you overcome these challenges?
Porsha: It was challenging at first, but once I shared my visions with some of my mentors and teachers, I was greeted with support and encouragement. This boosted my confidence and strengthened my purpose. I just needed to be reminded of my own message to my students, which is to strive for their goals no matter what others may think.
Annie: What do you love about this experience?
Porsha: I think I love the whole experience. I love the unity: the support the pageant sisters have for each other, the support from the pageant committee, and the support from my family and friends. I love that this experience was filled with so much positivity that it felt more like we were a family instead of competitors.
Annie: What advice would you give to others who may be thinking about competing in the Hmong beauty pageant?
Porsha: One advice I would like to give to those who are interested in competing is: Do it for you. Don’t view it as a competition to challenge the other girls but rather a competition to challenge yourself. Regardless of the outcome, use it as stepping stone on the way to your goal. Just remember to go in with a positive mindset, make friends, and have fun. In doing so, you would already be a winner.
Annie: In general, how do you stay inspired through difficult times?
Porsha: When I feel down, I would search up inspirational quotes or videos to help me stay positive. I would then go for a jog to clear my head and to give me time to evaluate the things that are bothering me. After understanding the situation I would no longer be stressed but instead have those issues as ideas for future projects.
Annie: What is your life philosophy?
Porsha: My life philosophy is “Aspire to inspire before you expire.”- Eugene Bell Jr. It basically means, work hard to inspire others in the time that you have, which is what I strive to do.
Annie: What comes to mind when you hear the phrases “What does it mean being a Hmong woman of today?”
Porsha: When I hear the phrase “what does it mean to be a Hmong woman of today” I think of the word ‘strong’ personified. I think of someone who can be successful in this modern world but at the same time still serves as the backbone to her family. I think of someone who is respected by those of the old traditions and new. I think of a strong modest woman who is not afraid to take advantage of the opportunities available to her in this modern time but is also not afraid to display respect for her roots.
Annie: What else do you want us to know about you?
Porsha: I just want everyone to know that I am still learning and growing, not just as Miss United Hmong, but as a Hmong woman. My goal is to be a role model for the community. If I should have inspired anyone through being Miss Hmong or through my work, I considered myself blessed to have been a positive influence in someone’s life.
Lastly, I want to say that I am honored to be featured on Hmong Women Today and am thankful to them for their continuous effort to empower Hmong women (and the Hmong community as a whole). Thank you.
SHORT SENTENCES TO FINISH…
When I face a big challenge I…
Take time for myself, go for a jog, and think of how to overcome it.
My greatest fear is…
is hurting people’s feeling, which can also be my weakness.
The most courageous thing I’ve ever done is….
walking out on an offer (sponsorship) I knew would take me far but would also undermined my vision.
If I could go back in time to when I was 20 I would tell myself…
to continue with my studies and follow my heart because eventually I will become who I wanted to be- a Hmong teacher and a role model for the students.
I believe…
you can achieve anything you put your heart into; life is what you make of it.
The biggest lesson I have ever learned is…
not everyone will support you and sometimes it’s those closest to you, but that’s okay because not everyone dream the same dream.
My favorite quote/ mantra/ prayer/ is…
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances but they’re worth takin’,
Lovin’ might be a mistake but it’s worth makin’,
Don’t let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin’ out reconsider,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance
-Lee Ann Womack- ‘I hope you dance’
The Hmong community needs…
to Broaden our horizon!
We need to accept that not everyone is meant to do what we may traditionally value as ‘prestige.’ Instead of putting them down and pushing them away, we should encourage them to strive for their goals and welcome their innovation into the community. This way the Hmong community will be strong in its traditional ways while strong in the modern time.
Follow Porsha Phoua Chang on facebook to stay informed of the amazing things she’s working on!
Youtube: Porsha Change