My mom is awesome because …
“… she is supportive, caring, and understanding without reservation. Not many Asian mothers could accept having their children living on the other side of the country or following an unorthodox career path, like my former career as a broadcast journalist. She is also a super grandma of three precious kids!”
— Derek Wing, director of communications and outreach of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging
“… she cooks me delicious food and also, because in her eyes, I’m always a baby. And she continues to support me even when I make poor decisions in life.”
— Nina Huang, Northwest Asian Weekly reporter
“… she has taught me the art of giving, which brings in real happiness to any living being.”
— Debadutta Dash, co-chair of Washington State and India Trade Relations Action Committee
“… she showers her family with unconditional love. She is an inspiration to her children and grandchildren.”
— Evangeline Café, Northwest Asian Weekly reporter
“… she taught me to be self-sufficient, socially conscious, compassionate, and curious.”
— Naomi Ishisaka, communications director for OneAmerica
“… she (Rosalinda DeJesus) made the ultimate parent sacrifices with time by taking me to see bands that I liked. [She] drove me to comic book conventions and took me to movies she had no interest in. My mom is selfless and is the reason why I’ve made a living off of writing about music, comic books, and movies for the last 13 years.”
— Ryan Pangilinan, Northwest Asian Weekly reporter
“… she (Hoa Ly) saw right through me and forced me to face my faults rather than only celebrate my achievements. She’s helped build my character, a process that will always be in-the-making, and taught me to have compassion for others, even when you judged them at first.”
— Diem Ly, editor in chief of the International Examiner
“… she finally broke out of her shell; she’s great ballroom dancing, and she knows it!”
— Jennilee Bennett, student and the Seattle Examiner’s Frugal Fashionista
“… she is the most loving and caring person I know, and she is respected by all our family and friends.”
— Elsie (Yotsuuye) Taniguchi, president of the Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizens League and member of the Women of Color Luncheon committee
“… she likes to take revenge by cleaning the entire house so we don’t know where anything is anymore. She also loves me so much that boyfriends don’t exist in her book.”
— Ina Dash, student and a participant in Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation’s Summer Youth Leadership Program.
“… she has endured many mental and physical struggles in her life but has still managed to stay positive. She has taught me how to be a compassionate and loving individual, how to withstand the challenges of life, and to always have faith. Day after day, I share life lessons with my students as she has shared with me. My mother is my superwoman!”
— Amy Lu, math teacher at Hamilton International Middle School
“… she cooks the best Japanese food all the time!”
— Yuki Nakajima, Northwest Asian Weekly reporter
“… though I adore this photograph taken at my baptism, this image of a young, traditionally dressed Vietnamese mother with her newborn daughter doesn’t capture what I appreciate the most about my mother: her tough love and honest criticism, cushioned by a clever wit and gifted storytelling.”
— Catherine Trinh, account supervisor at Edelman Seattle Public Relations