A tribute to Maytong Chang
Milwaukee’s Centro Legal recognizes Hmong leader
Milwaukee’s Centro Legal recognizes Hmong leader
by Viviana Boze
Maytong Chang knows what it is like to receive help, which is why she is paying it forward by helping others in her
community.
Centro Legal, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable legal services in family law and criminal law,
recently honored Chang with the First Annual Centro Legal Excellence Award. The award is given to a former Centro
Legal client who exemplifies the organization’s mission of turning hope into action. Chang was honored on February
18th at a Centro Legal luncheon held at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee.
In 2006, Centro Legal represented Chang in her divorce case and helped her through the family court process.
Chang’s main concern throughout the divorce was her children’s welfare. Chang successfully completed her divorce
and today helps other women in similar circumstances.
Chang is currently the executive director of the Hmong American Women’s Association. She works with refugees
and comes across many women in need of legal assistance. In fact, Chang provides Hmong translation and
interpretation services for other women going through the family court process. She refers those individuals to Centro
Legal so that the attorneys may help them as they helped her in the past.
Centro Legal Board member, Rebecca Cameron Valcq, presented the award to Chang. “MayTong is especially
gifted in working with victims of abuse and all of the Centro Legal staff and attorneys value her input,” said Valcq.
Chang values her work and was proud to receive the award. “I was very humbled and felt proud to receive the
award,” said Chang. “I feel like my work is part of my life. My work is something I love.”
Maytong Chang knows what it is like to receive help, which is why she is paying it forward by helping others in her
community.
Centro Legal, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable legal services in family law and criminal law,
recently honored Chang with the First Annual Centro Legal Excellence Award. The award is given to a former Centro
Legal client who exemplifies the organization’s mission of turning hope into action. Chang was honored on February
18th at a Centro Legal luncheon held at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee.
In 2006, Centro Legal represented Chang in her divorce case and helped her through the family court process.
Chang’s main concern throughout the divorce was her children’s welfare. Chang successfully completed her divorce
and today helps other women in similar circumstances.
Chang is currently the executive director of the Hmong American Women’s Association. She works with refugees
and comes across many women in need of legal assistance. In fact, Chang provides Hmong translation and
interpretation services for other women going through the family court process. She refers those individuals to Centro
Legal so that the attorneys may help them as they helped her in the past.
Centro Legal Board member, Rebecca Cameron Valcq, presented the award to Chang. “MayTong is especially
gifted in working with victims of abuse and all of the Centro Legal staff and attorneys value her input,” said Valcq.
Chang values her work and was proud to receive the award. “I was very humbled and felt proud to receive the
award,” said Chang. “I feel like my work is part of my life. My work is something I love.”
Maytong Chang
(L-R) Prof. Nadelle Grossman, Marquette University Law School & Centro Legal
Board of Directors; Atty. Rebecca Cameron Valcq, We Energies & Centro Legal
Board of Directors; Atty. Michael Balter, recipient of the Centro Legal
Outstanding Advocate Award; Ms. MayTong Chang, recipient of the Centro
Legal Excellence Award; Atty. Jesus Villa, Northwestern Mutual & Centro
Legal Board of Directors; Ms. Pat Kandziora, M&I Bank & Centro Legal Board of
Directors; Atty. Harvey Kurtz, Foley & Lardner LLP & Centro Legal Board of
Directors; and Atty. Domingo Cruz, Northwestern Mutual & Centro Legal Board
of Directors.
Board of Directors; Atty. Rebecca Cameron Valcq, We Energies & Centro Legal
Board of Directors; Atty. Michael Balter, recipient of the Centro Legal
Outstanding Advocate Award; Ms. MayTong Chang, recipient of the Centro
Legal Excellence Award; Atty. Jesus Villa, Northwestern Mutual & Centro
Legal Board of Directors; Ms. Pat Kandziora, M&I Bank & Centro Legal Board of
Directors; Atty. Harvey Kurtz, Foley & Lardner LLP & Centro Legal Board of
Directors; and Atty. Domingo Cruz, Northwestern Mutual & Centro Legal Board
of Directors.
