| The Asian woman in America |
| Traditionally reserved and homebound, the Asian woman finds it difficult to be an American woman as well, with her adjustment period lasting sometimes a lifetime. This is especially true for women who immigrated to the United States in their adulthood. For Asian Americans born or who grew up in the U.S., the adjustment may be easier, for the acculturation starts early. The more difficult part for them, however, is learning how to be Asian as well. My mother, a public school teacher in the Philippines, came to the U.S. in 1968 in her 40s, for the proverbial greener pastures. A single mom with five mouths to feed, she thought America was the place to be. With no relative to go to, one coat to cover her back, and only $80 in her pocket, Felly -- my mom's name -- landed in Chicago, did clerical work for many years, and until her retirement, chose not to go back to her teaching profession. Once she had a teaching assignment in another county away from her home, but she gave up easily because she said the kids in the classroom were so unruly and she wasn't used to that. In constrast, two of her daughters (my younger sisters) who grew up in a Chicago suburb, graduated from college on their own, completely integrated into the system, and have since enjoyed being American. While Felly didn't quite reach the top of her career in the U.S., her two daughters seem to have broken the glass ceiling, so to speak. They're not there yet, but at least they're on their way. I -- the oldest daughter -- immigrated here with more than $80 to start my life, had a mother and siblings waiting for me, and immediately landed a job in the publishing industry. While I was in my 40s too, like my mom when she arrived in the U.S., I was more fortunate than her. The difficulties, however, were similar to hers and the barriers were greater than I thought. My mom didn't succeed in breaking down these barriers for herself, but she opened up the doors for her daughters to explore the opportunities which were not previously available to her. I am grateful for having a mother who had inspired us to be more than what any traditional society or culture expected women to be. I see my mom in every Asian woman in America who immigrated later in life -- in every Hmong, Indian, Chinese, Filipino, or other Asian mother who tries to juggle work and home and still excels in raising exceptional, disciplined, and achievement-oriented children. I see my sisters in every Asian American woman who is focused in her goals and achieves them. I see part of myself in many Asian women in America who try to build bridges and advocate for what is right and just. I want part of myself to be like Asian American women who are not afraid to speak up, who are willing to change traditions that are unjust to women, but who are also promoting the best of their cultures that make Asian women in America exceptional role models and truly women of distinction in their respective communities. |
| Editor's Corner: Over a cup of tea |
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