Describe your background:
My parents both immigrated from Korea right after the war, so I am 100% Korean American.
What issues going on in the world, and/or in the Korean American / Asian American community affect you the most?
As the first elected Korean American woman in the Commonwealth of Virginia, I see things from a political perspective–Koreans Americans and the entire AAPI community does not have a seat at the table when it come to making policy decisions, budget and spending decisions, resource allocations such as schools, community center, elder care, etc. that impact our communities.
We need to get the KA/AAPI community to recognize the importance of voting in every election and making sure candidates listen to and meet the needs of our community. We need to encourage our young leaders to get involved in the mainstream political as well as non profit arena and start making the connections, making the impact and moving the needle on issues that affect our communities as well as the mainstream community. We need to encourage other AAPIs to consider running for office as well and we need to support our AAPI candidates.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My parents, who taught me the value of always striving to do more and to do better.
What is one goal you would like to accomplish during your lifetime?
To be elected to Congress.
Tell us about a unique or quirky habit of yours.
I still play with my hair when I am bored or nervous.
If you had to describe yourself using three words, they would be…
Intelligent, passionate, fun!
If you could be anybody besides yourself for a day, you would be…
The President of the United States – look out!
What are your pet peeves or interesting thing about you that you dislike?
Pet peeves: people who make promises but don’t keep them.
Name one of your favorite things about someone in your family.
My mother has the patience of a saint, I wish I had more of it!
What is the kindest thing that someone has ever done for you?
I had a flat tire driving home from picking up my daughter from kindergarten. I pulled over to the nearest parking lot and was figuring out how to get home when a worker from Fairfax Water pulled over and on the spot, introduced himself and changed my tire in 10 minutes flat. Talk about getting a true ‘damsel in distress’ rescue. I still recall how surprised I was.
If you could travel to any place in the world, where would it be and why?
Duh, Korea! I have only visited South Korea once as a child and I have no memories of it, other than how cool it was that the floor was heated! I got really sick and stayed in my relatives’ home for the entire few days and never got to see or visit anywhere. Seoul looks fascinating – I see it on all the k-dramas I watch, lol and I would love to see it in person!
What words do you live by?
Mean what you say and say what you mean.
If you could study anything you wanted in school, what would you want to learn more about?
Art–visual arts and design, I would have loved to have been a painter or designer.
What makes your family unique from others?
We get along so well since we only see each other once a year and stay out of each other’s business.
What is your biggest fear or worry?
That I will not get everything done on my to-do list!
How do you show your love for others?
I do something important for them that makes them smile – big or small, something that they value, not something I necessarily want to do or am good at. If you love others, make them happy.
What is one quality you admire most in others?
Fearlessness.
What is your favorite outfit to wear?
A gala gown or a business suit!
If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
My photo albums, cause I still have a bunch of them in paper format!
What quality do you appreciate most in a friend?
Loyalty.
Tell us something that you are proud of.
I am proud that I led a group called the Washington Coalition for Comfort Womens Issues in building the first Comfort Women Memorial on a US government grounds – the WCCW Comfort Women Memorial Peace Garden is a beautiful memorial located on the Fairfax County Government Center grounds and was dedicated this past May 2014.
If you would like to participate in I Am KoreAm, you can find more information here. Students and alumni, be sure to also check out Student Spotlight and Alumni Catalogue.
