Awards, Accomplishments,
and Civic Engagements


  • Barbara Jordon Award for Service and Leadership - Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas - Austin, 2006
  • Guest Speaker - Hmong Cultural Center 2006 Fall Fundraiser Dinner in St. Paul, October 28, 2006
  • Farm and Rural Legislative Award - Minnesota Farmers Union, 2006
  • Keynote Speaker - Growing Roots Together, Immigration Law Center of Minnesota, October, 2006
  • Board of Director - 2006 AAPI Health Summit, Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, September, 2006
  • Appreciation Award - Lao Family Community of Minnesota, June 25, 2006
  • Speaker - Advocacy and activism highlighting issues facing API communities and communities of color, NAPAWF and Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota, July, 2006
  • Panelist - Women Who Run, Women’s History Month, Metropolitan State University, March, 2006
  • Legislative Session Certificate of Appreciation - Asian Pacific Cultural Center, 2006
  • Visiting Lecturer - United States-Japan Friendship Commission Lecture Series
  • Doshisha University, Kyoto - November 10, 2005
  • University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa - November 14, 2005
  • Temple University, Tokyo - November 16, 2005
  • At-Large Member - DNC (Democratic National Committee), appointed in 2005
  • Vision Award - JACL (Japanese American Citizens League), 2005
  • Presenter - Reflections of Contemporary Women Leaders - University of Minnesota YMCA, September, 2005
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Vietnamese Refugee Community of Minnesota, August 9, 2005
  • Special Guest - She’s Got Something To Say - AM 950 Air America Minnesota Radio, August, 2005
  • Farm and Rural Legislative Award - Minnesota Farmers Union, 2005
  • Certificate of Recognition - NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) Minnesota, 2005
  • Keynote Speaker - OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) National Convention, August, 2005
  • Presenter - Homeland Security and Civil Rights: A Policy of Fear or the Cost of Liberty, Minnesota Meeting, convened by the Minneapolis Foundation, May, 2005
  • Recognition of Community Service and Service to the Immigrant, Refugee and Asylee Community - Catholic Charities, Los Angeles, CA, April 10, 2005
  • Certificate of Distinction - NAAP-MN (National Association of Activity Professionals), University of St. Thomas, April, 2005
  • Community Faculty - Hey America, Immigration is your Future, Spring Public Policy Lecture Series of the Center for Advocacy and Political Leadership, Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership (MAPL) program, University of Minnesota - Duluth, February, 2005
  • Panelist - Asian/Pacific/American Studies Program & Institute, New York University, February, 2005
  • Certificate of Leadership - Latino Youth of Minnesota, January 26, 2005
  • Keynote Speaker - Harry H. Dow Legal Assistance Fund’s 19th Annual Dinner, AALAM, December, 2004
  • Presenter - Convocation: Public Policy Issues, Concordia University, St. Paul, December, 2004
  • Speaker - Tri-College New Leadership program, Center for American Women and Politics, Rutgers University, 2004
  • Speaker - COF (Council on Foundations) 20th Fall Conference for Community Foundations in Minnesota's Twin Cities, October, 2004
  • Outstanding Achievement Award - Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, October 2004
  • Presenter - UpStart: Worldviews of Unity and Diversity - The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, October, 2004
  • Chicago Annual Gala Keynote Speaker - The Organization of Chinese Americans, Chicago Chapter, October 2004
  • Highest Political Achievement Award - Sacramento Hmong Community, October 2, 2004
  • Meritorious Service Award - US Selective Service System, August 20, 2004
  • Minnesota Delegate - Midwest States Legislative Delegation to the Republic of China (Taiwan), hosted by the government of the Republic of China, August, 2004
  • Keynote Speaker - 2004 Community Service Awards Banquet - United Hmong Association, January 24, 2004
  • Speaker - National Association of Hearing Officials, National Conference, Minneapolis, December 2003
  • Keynote Speaker - 28th Annual UW System Women's Studies Consortium Conference at UW-Stout, 2003 Women of Color Award, October, 2003
  • Guest Speaker - City of St. Paul Employees Recognition Breakfast, 2003
  • Guardian of Minnesota Public Schools Award - Minnesota School Boards Association
  • Panelist - Conflict and coalition building surrounding public investments, The 2003 Freeman Forum, University of Minnesota
  • APA Women’s Wall of Fame - IM Diversity.com, Women’s History Month Edition
  • Courage in Leadership Award - Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association, 2003
  • Distinguished Leadership Award - The Community Leadership Association, 2003
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Minnesota Coalition of Battered Women, July 7, 2003
  • Dedication to the Community Award - Southeast Asian Community Council, April 19, 2003
  • Achievement and Leadership by a Woman - The 2003 Ann Bancroft Awards, Ann Bancroft Foundation, March, 2003
  • The Committee Award - As a dedicated Public Servant to communities of color, Women of color Recognition day, BIHA (Black Indian Hispanic Asian Women in Action), March 1, 2003
  • 40 Under 40 Honoree - Business Journal, 2003
  • Flame of Courage Award - Minnesota Women’s Consortium, January 29, 2003
  • Speaker - Changing the Face of the Minnesota Legislature - The Gail Mansion, January, 2003
  • Empowering our Community - Shaping our Future Award - SEARAC (Southeast Asian Resource Action Center), May 17, 2002
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, Inc., April 25, 2002
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, September 12, 2002
  • Women of Courage Award - Give Us Wings, October 10, 2002
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Hmoob Vammeej Network, Inc., October 12, 2002
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Eastsiders for Mee Moua - Progressive Minnesota, August 23, 2002
  • BILLD Fellow and Certificate of Completion - Boway Institute for Legislative Leadership and Development, June 16, 2002
  • Legislative Session Honoree - Outfront Minnesota, June 20, 2002
  • Certificate of Appreciation - AAA and SOAR, June 7, 2002
  • Commemorating Asian Pacific Heritage Month - Cargil, May 10, 2002
  • Legislative Deans List - The Minnesota State University Student Association, 2002
  • Best Politician - City Pages, 2002
  • Up and Coming Attorney Honoree - MN Lawyer, 2002
  • Recognition of Leadership and Contribution Award - MN Hmong Chamber of Commerce, 2000-2002 Board Member
  • Keynote Presenter - Sharing the Minnesota Dream - Understanding Our People, Delivering Our Promise, The 2002 MESA/MASE Spring Conference
  • Speaker - The Legislative Challenges Facing Post-Secondary Developmental Education, NADE (National Association of Developmental Education), 2002
  • B. Warren Hart Award - United States Junior Chamber Of Commerce