Hi there!

I am a first generation Hmong American. My parents were refugees of the Vietnam War and were resettled in the US 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 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 I build a good foundation to stand on and make the US feel like home. This is something that I carry with me where ever I go– to help build my community stronger so everyone can have a good foundation and feel like 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 drive to downtown Salem.  I can proudly say I can navigate around Salem without getting lost about 95% of the time!

With all the great things about Ward 6, I also noticed some things that concerned me—particularly pedestrian safety and traffic. I reached out to the city councilor for Ward 6 at the time but I didn’t feel heard or get the help I was hoping for. 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.

Right now Ward 6 doesn’t have someone to listen to their concerns and, most importantly, show up for them. I am committed to doing that. That’s why I’m running to represent Ward 6.

I was involved in grassroots campaigning for Salem City Council by knocking on doors and talking to my neighbors. Afterwards, I externed for the councilor where I got to know Salem on a wider scale on a variety of issues—public health, emergency responses, and municipality services. 

For a short bit after, I worked as a law and policy law clerk for a house representative before stepping away to focus on starting my legal career.

My day job now is a family law attorney here in Salem–helping families navigate the legal system during a stressful and uncertain part of their lives.

Outside of work and my community engagement, I enjoy reading fiction novels, window 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.