Helping Hmong women through scholarships

Younger generations of Hmong women are better able to contribute to the community with the ongoing award of an annual scholarship, local educators say.

Since 1995, about 30 female Hmong high school seniors and college students have received the award to help them pay for education-related costs. In turn, they are expected to contribute to the Wausau area in some way.

The fund was established by members of the Hmong Organization for the Promise of Enrichment, or HOPE. Group chairwoman May See Her recently received a 2008 Friends of Education Award for her work with the student group.

“We try to provide them with the best support so they can be successful,” Her, 27, said of the students.

The scholarship helped Manee Vongphakdy attend college and become a counselor at Wausau East High School. Her and Vongphakdy were students in the Early Identification Program, which assists disadvantaged students with their studies and career exploration.

Hmong women face a cultural expectation of helping out with domestic work at home and not going off to college, program coordinator Sharon Hunter said.

Hunter observed Her and Vongphakdy complete the program and continue their education through high school.

“She was one of those young women you knew would go a long way,” Hunter said of Her, who eventually earned two degrees and is a social worker for Marathon County Social Services.

It is important for Her and Vongphakdy to be visible to younger generations, said Nell Anderson, a Wausau School District director of education. She said there are 12 Hmong teachers who serve students in various roles throughout the district.

“If they can see themselves in those roles, oftentimes it enhances their abilities, as well as their desire to achieve,” Anderson said of female Hmong students.

Last year, 1,921 students, or about 22 percent of the district’s student population, were identified as Asian, according to enrollment data. The majority are Hmong.

The Hmong teachers have the lingual and cultural background to assist other staff members with the Asian students, Anderson said.

 Source: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081007/WDH0101/810070430/1981/WDHopinion