Jenny Do

Jenny Do

jennydolaw.com | facebook: jennydolaw

Maintaining a law practice in downtown San Jose since 1997, Jenny Do has grown into something of a patron saint for the city. Starting with the Green Rice Gallery adjacent to her law offices, Do has developed her role as a community advocate both by supporting the arts and through work for the dispossessed and marginalized. She ran for city council in 2015, but dropped out when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and given less than a year to live. But the illness only emboldened and sharpened her focus on activism, motivating her to become an outspoken advocate for breast cancer awareness in the Vietnamese community. Recently, Do’s cancer was declared in remission. Her close call with death has given her a new lease on life, solidifying her need to help her community.

“There is still a lot of work to be done. I began to see my role in the community as somebody who motivates others not only to take action themselves, but to encourage others to action too. I realize this is much more important because often people aren't aware of the issues. I feel like I should serve as a catalyst for engaging those who might be very effective in their specialities, but who might not be aware of how those specialties can help resolve specific issues in the community. I would say, even today, my job is to get people involved. To activate people through kindness in a positive way.”

Written by Tad Malone | Photography by Daniel Garcia