We are featuring two young college women: Mysee Chang and Kia Lor.

About the speaker:

Mysee Chang is currently a student at Saint Catherine University majoring in Women's Studies and Critical Studies of Race & Ethnicity. Kia Lor is currently a student at the College of Saint Benedict and is majoring in Peace Studies and Communication Studies.

Throughout their high school years, these two young Hmong women participated in several community organizations and projects. Some of their contributions include being editors of HmoobTeen magazine, participants in the Hmong Women's Circle, Ready 4 K's Hmong Leadership/Mentorship Program, Wilder's YLI program and service leaders through organizations like the Page Foundation and Hmong American Partnership. The two young women will be speaking about sisterhood how being "Best Cousins" has influenced their identity the importance of mentors, their mothers, Hmong womanhood and the impact of their college journeys.

About the speaker:

Kia Lor is a 2009 Children's Defense Funds' Beat the Odds awardee for overcoming tremendous adversity to succeed in both school and life. Ms. Lor will share her experience of growing up in a single-parent household and "poor" in St. Paul and her path to finding self-empowerment. Ms. Lor is a freshman at the College of St. Benedict. She is a writer, poet, and activist to improve the lives of Hmong women and girls.

Mysee Chang is a graduate of Buffalo High School where she was the recipient of the Hall of Fame Award. In 2008, she was awarded the Alexander Hamilton Citizenship Achievement Award and inducted into the National Hamilton Leaders Academy. Ms. Chang is currently a first-year at Saint Catherine University, majoring in Women's Studies and Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity. She is a committed and passionate social justice advocate and dedicates her time to many community organizations, including Hnub Tshiab.