10 Inspirational Posts of 2014

Happy New Year, readers! To start 2015 on a positive note, here are some inspirational stories about role models, leaders, heroes and pioneers that KoreAm published last year.

Andy Marra Shares Her Story as an Adoptee, Transgender Woman and LGBT Activist

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A Korean American adoptee, transgender woman and LGBT activist, Andy Marra has found that sharing her story carries the power to move and inspire.

South Korea’s Kim Ye-Jin Wins Miss Deaf International 2014

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“Korean deaf people have few opportunities on the world stage, and don’t try to grab them,” Kim Ye-Jin said in her interview through sign language and writing. “It is important in the pageant for the deaf to show how they have become more strong-willed and considerate as they have to fight to overcome prejudices in society. I think the role of Miss Deaf is to use such experience and character to help those with disabilities to live in harmony with others.”

Korean Humanitarian Uses Taekwondo to Empower Syrian Refugee Children

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“These children have seen their family members killed and tortured,” Charles Lee, a South Korean humanitarian, recalls. “My ultimate goal is to raise them to be he next generation of leaders. And Taekowndo is the right tool to deliver that message.”

Navy Corpsman Jonathan Kong Receives Silver Star

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When former Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jonathan Kong saw a Marine go down in open ground from a Taliban ambush, it was more than his training that spurred him into action. Kong remembers that it was like seeing his little brother in trouble.

New Plus-Size Fashion Magazine Launches in South Korea

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“Beauty is not about whether a person is fat or not,” says Vivian Kim, the founder of South Korea’s plus-size magazine 66100. “It’s about having the confidence to know you are beautiful the way you are.”

Korean Mom Gives PSA on Accepting Children Who Come Out As Gay

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“In Asian families, the parents may accept their children personally, but they will not do so as part of the larger community,” social worker Aries Liao tells Wall Street Journal columnist Jeff Yang. “They will say ‘I care about you no matter what, but don’t tell your aunt or uncle!’”

That’s where The Asian Pride Project steps in. Founded by Liao in 2008, the nonprofit is a “multilingual platform featuring the stories of Asian Pacific Islander lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender folks and their family members.”

Too Young For Olympics, Snowboarder Chloe Kim Sets Sights on Pyeongchang

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Young snowboarding star Chloe Kim is not old enough for this year’s Olympics, but has her sights set on Pyeongchang in 2018.

The Making of Peter Rhee

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“Trauma is one area where … it could be a kid, it could be an old mother, it could be a police officer, someone in prison, a drug addict—it doesn’t matter. I just get to take care of you, and I get to deal with all of society,” world-renowned trauma surgeon Peter Rhee says. “It’s a gift.”

100 Years of Susan Ahn Cuddy

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A look back at the incredible life of Susan Ahn Cuddy, who became the first female gunnery officer in the U.S. Navy and broke layers of glass ceilings.

Biracial Korean Athlete Joins Korea’s National Soccer Team

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South Korea’s national soccer team has invited Kang Su-il to its training camp, making the 27-year-old forward only the second multiethnic soccer player in history to represent the country that still remains largely homogenous.

“Growing up, I never understood why having a different skin color gave a reason to other people to curse at me,” Kang told the JoongAng Daily in 2008. “People are supposed to be different. It’s only right to accept the differences.”

What are some of your favorite KoreAm stories from 2014? Let us know in the comments below.