2018 #MinneAsianStories: Hello, Neighbor

A Viet Woman’s March

By Jennifer Nguyen Moore, Saint Paul

As a daughter of Vietnamese refugees, I experienced challenges fitting into our new country, even though my father fought alongside American soldiers. My parents knew the value of connection and community. They still made time to help people with citizenship test, applying for jobs, preparing individuals for their job by providing clothes and driving them to work and interpreting for the Vietnamese community.

Even though we didn’t have financial wealth, we knew to pay attention to a different kind of wealth, the gifts that people have inside of them. We sought support from Ramsey County to stay afloat.

As a child, I remember drinking powdered milk and making meals from the “government (block) cheese.” I remember how difficult it was for my mother who spoke limited English to navigate the County application process. This year in 2018, I announced my candidacy for Ramsey County Commissioner in District 3. As an environmental justice advocate, I bring the lens needed to identify and address racial disparities to ensure we live healthy lives.

As a new mother and a professional working full-time, I bring forth the perspective needed to ensure young families are flourishing. When elected, I would be the first Vietnamese person elected in office in Minnesota and the first Asian Ramsey County Commissioner. The Vietnamese community settled in Minnesota for over forty years and the Asian community is a large population within Ramsey County, yet we haven’t had representation. Becoming the first Vietnamese elected official would come with many challenges but it will open even more opportunities.

Most importantly, I would reflect our community and my daughter will see her possibilities.

Check out the rest of #MinneAsianStories.