GLOBAL DIGITAL LOOK BOOK | 2018
about
HMONG WOMEN TAKE ON THE WORLD
This Global Digital Look Book is a collaboration with Hmong photographers worldwide to celebrate the modern day Hmong sister! We envision Hmong women and girls from all over the world connecting to celebrate – just for a day – at the Global Virtual Summit. Our purpose is to provide the inspiration, education, and connection you need to find your authentic voice, to grow and to transform. We bring the global “stage” so you can find your tribe to connect and make a difference. We believe that when one rises, we all rise. Because we’re simply stronger together.
HMONG-INSPIRED PATTERN DESIGN CREDIT © 2018 Cynthia Yongvang, All Rights Reserved, from HWTOTW 2018 Global Sisterhood/Viv Ncaus Scarf. COVER PHOTO BY: Nhia Ly Photography, Albermarle, NC, USA
FEMALE POWERHOUSE MUSIC REMIX: DJ Jonethug, St Paul, MN
save the date
HMONG WOMEN TAKE ON THE WORLD 2018 VIRTUAL SUMMIT
May 19-20, 2018 Pre-register at hmongwomentakeontheworld.com
connect with us
A GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR A LOCAL DIFFERENCE @hmongwomenday @hmongwomentakeontheworld www.hmongwomentakeontheworld.com –2–
a letter
FROM THE FOUNDER Hmong Women Take on The World was ignited by my love for my seven-year-old daughter as a mother. As a woman, I didn’t want her to forget the sacrifices of the Hmong women who came before her (the past) because she would draw strength from them for her future. I want her to know that she’s enough and to believe in who she is so she could rise to become the woman that she is meant to be one day. What I hope for my own daughter, I hope for every single one of us. Igniting possibilities together is what I hope you’ll be most inspired by when you experience our first Global Digital Look Book. Drawing from women of the past, present, and future, this Look Book has been made with love and positive intent. Every detail was poured over with great thoughtfulness and care. Every word marked, every selection carefully made, every design decision thoughtfully chiseled with the hearts of our Hmong sisters in mind. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” is a favorite proverb of mine that speaks to the heart of Hmong Women Take on the World and our global sisterhood network. Our Global Digital Look Book stitches together many journeys for an epic worldwide collaboration -- those of our Hmong sisters and the other of our gifted Hmong photographers and enthusiasts. Being creators of the change we want to see, we recognize the beautiful but powerful moments that a simple photograph captures. Every angle, every decision comes with intent by the creator, the photographer. Our Global Digital Look Book is an invitation to start creating the change we want. The Look Book invites you to the essence of today’s diverse Hmong sisters across different ages and special life moments around the world. Inspirational words from our tribal sisters have been fused to uplift and remind us how resilient we are. Let us put back into the world a creation built upon the passion of many to inspire, uplift, and connect. If you are amazed, awed, or inspired by this, join us in our journey. Share this and let others know that we are taking on the world in our own ways, but we don’t have to go at it alone. You don’t know me, but I’m here. I stand before you because I believe in you and that this is our time. That you are worth every effort and investment. Together, we can go much further because are simply stronger together. XOXO,
Elizabeth Yang | Founder & CEO –3–
thank you, ua tsaug TO OUR CONTRIBUTERS
Marketing & Design Team
Padee Khang Graphic Designer Lead Wisconsin, USA
Panhia Lee Graphic Designer Lead Rhode Island, USA
“Though the look book is only a glimpse of the realities of Hmong women today, it reflects the milestones that many have experienced around the world. It’s a story of collaboration between multiple talented individuals and a priviledge to be a part of!”
Mai Yang Social Media/Comm. Lead Ontario, CAN
“The look book is a visual glimpse of the vision and mission of Hmong women Take on the World igniting each other. It’s a reflection of the beautiful, strong and unique Hmong sisters worldwide. I am privileged and grateful to be part of this collaboration in amplifying the talents and journey of Hmong women globally.”
“The look book embodies the diversity of the modern Hmong women and the talented Hmong photographers around the world today. It showcases the beauty of our people and it has been an honor working alongside so many amazing creatives and individuals.”
Lee S. Moua Creative Lead Florida, USA
“The purpose of this look book is to create a visual doorway to showcase the process of empowering our Hmong sisters to claim and own their life of strength, confidence, knowledge, and power. It is to reflect the courage we have within and it is awaiting for us to grab it!” –4–
Pa N. Vue Editor Lead California, USA
“The look book is a snapshot of Hmong Women Take on the World’s mission to uplift and amplify Hmong women globally. It’s a true collaboration of effort, creativity and love for life, and I’m so grateful and proud to be a part of it.”
Global Planning Team
Global Tribal Leaders
INTERNATIONAL LEADERS Dolly Vang, Melbourne/Victoria, Australia Cynthia YongVang Tribal Leader Washington, USA
Dia Yang Tribal Leader Minnesota, USA
Ly Ly, Luang Prabang, Laos Mai Yer Xiong, Vientiane, Laos PK Vang, Bangkok, Thailand
UNITED STATES LEADERS Carrie Agustin, Minnesota, USA Chong Lo, Washington, USA Crystal Lee, California, USA Davoua Vang, Tennessee, USA
Mai E. Moua Tribal Leader Massachusetts, USA
Doua Kha, Wisconsin, USA Ka Thao, California, USA Lori Xiong, Alaska, USA Lorina Thao, Oklahoma, USA Mai Dawb Pha, Minnesota, USA
Mai Moua Tribal Leader Queensland, AUS
Olivia Vang, Oregon, USA Pang Foua Xiong, Minnesota, USA Seng Her, Georgia, USA Val Vang, Illinois, USA Victoria Thaoxaochay, California, USA
Nischa Xiong Tribal Leader Massachusetts, USA
Xue Lee-Vang, Arkansas, USA
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made possible by
OUR GLOBAL NETWORK OF PHOTOGRAPHERS & INDIVIDUALS
CANADA CX Photography Kitchener, Ontario, CAN facebook.com/cxphotos THAILAND PK Vang Wiang Kaen, Chiang Rai, Thailand ARKANSAS La Moua of PMT Samai Photography Gentry, AR, USA pmt-photography.com Lee Thao Photography Fayeteville, AR, USA leethaophotography.webs.com ARIZONA Soulful Connections Photography Queen Creek, AZ, USA facebook.com/soulfulconnectionsphotography CALIFORNIA Bao Lee Los Angeles, CA, USA Instagram.com/baooserr Crystal Lee Sacramento, CA, USA www.facebook.com/leecrystalk Kia Xiong Photography Sacromento, CA, USA kiaxiongphotography.com
Sayphong Photography Fresno, CA, USA facebook.com/saymuasphotography FLORIDA Lee Simoua Jacksonville, FL, USA facebook.com/LeeSimoua MINNESOTA Carrie Agustin St. Paul, MN, USA Cha Yang Minneapolis, MN, USA Fue Vang Plymouth, MN, USA Pa Nhia Yang Minneapolis, MN, USA facebook.com/pa.yang.908 NORTH CAROLINA Nhia Ly Photography Albermarle, NC, USA nhialyphotography.com OREGON PrettyGeeky Photography Portland, OR, USA prettygeeky.com
RHODE ISLAND Hello Peony Photography Providence, RI, USA hellopeonyphotography.com Panhia Lee Studios Providence, RI, USA panhialee.com WISCONSIN Doua Kha Madison, WI, USA Khue Lor of FILMTROVERSE Productions Eau Claire, WI, USA facebook.com/FILMTROVERSE Lela Yang Sheboygan, WI, USA Lig Lor Photography Eau Claire, WI, USA liglor.com Sua Photography Wausau, WI, USA facebook.com/suaphotos Sophie Vue Photography Minneapolis, MN, USA facebook.com/sophievuephotography
Photo by Hello Peony Photography Providence, RI, USA
DO YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THE NEXT GLOBAL DIGITAL LOOK BOOK? CONTACT US: HMONGWOMENTAKEONTHEWORLD@GMAIL.COM
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–9– Photo by Cha Yang | Minneapolis, MN, USA
Photo by Fue Vang Plymouth, MN, USA
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Ua neeg nyob, yus yuav tau hlub yus tus kheej saib yus tus kheej muaj nuj nqis vim tsis muaj leej twg yuav hlub yus li yus hlub yus tus kheej!
In life you must love yourself because no one can love and value you the way you do. Inspired by a Hmong sister from South Brisbane, AUS
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Face your fears and don’t let your imagination scare you. Live. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Kitchener, Ontario, CAN
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Photos by Kia Xiong Photography Merced, CA, USA
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Photo by Soulful Connections Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Photo by Lee Thao Photography Fayeteville, AR, USA
Only judge her if you have walked in her shoes. You never know what pain, sacrifices, or struggles she has been through to get to where she is today. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Florida, USA
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Photo by Carrie Agustin St. Paul, MN, USA
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Photos by Panhia Lee | Providence, RI, USA
True beauty is loving your flaws and your imperfections. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Arizona, USA
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Sisters, let us rise from the shadows of others and take advantage of this new time of equality to shine and pursue our dreams, not just for ourselves but for our family and community.
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Cov viv ncaus Hmoob lub ntuj niam no vaj huam sib luag peb yuav tau, txhob nyob nraim leej twg li duab ntxoo lawm. Muaj laj lim tswv yim sawv tseem los nthuav tawm thiab siv yus lub peev xwm kom muaj txiaj ntsig, qab hau rau yus, yus tsev neeg thiab yus haiv neeg. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Wiang Kaen, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Photos by PK Vang – 21 – Wiang Kaen, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Photos by Sophie Vue Photography Minneapolis, MN, USA
Think beyond today because tomorrow will always come. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Woodbury, Minnesota, USA – 22 –
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Photos by Nhia Ly Photography Albermarle, NC, USA
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Photos by Khue Lor, Filmtroverse Studios, Eau Claire, WI, USA
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We may have a million differences, and though we go through different challenges in life, we always somehow relate to our Hmong viv ncaus. We are never alone! Inspired by a Hmong sister from Kitchener, Ontario, CAN
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Don’t sell your authenticity to get the approval of others because when you’re unique, everyone around you will want to be like you. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Florida, USA
Photos by PK Vang Wiang Kaen Chiang Rai, Thailand
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Stay hungry. There’s never “the right time.” Don’t wait, just go for it all! Inspired by a Hmong sister from Massachusetts, USA
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Photos by Bao Lee Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Txoj kev kawm yog kev vam meej, txoj kev kawm yuav coj txoj kev tshav ntuj los rau koj lub neej mog. Learning paves the path to success, learning is the grace that will come to be. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Vientiane, Laos
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Photo by PMT Samai Photography Gentry, AR, USA
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Photos by Cha Yang Minneapolis, MN, USA
Behind every women is a tribe of other strong and empowering women. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Photos by Crystal Lee Sacramento, CA, USA
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Ua neeg nyob, qhov tseem ceeb koj yuav tsum paub tseeb tias saib koj lub hom phiaj hauv koj txoj kev ua neej yog dabtsi. Xwsli, koj lub hom phiaj ntawm ib tug niam tsev, ntawm koj txoj hauj lwm. From elderly Hmong sister in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Photo by Pa Nhia Yang | Minneapolis, MN, USA
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It’s not about how hard life hits you, it’s about how you will take those hits and keep moving forward. Inspired by a Hmong sister serving in the U.S. Army
Photo by Hello Peony Photography Providence, RI, USA
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Redefine your role as a Hmong woman. Hold on to your passion and stay as your headstrong self. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Michigan, USA
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Photo by Lee Thao Photography Fayeteville, AR, USA
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Photo by Lig Lor Photography Eau Claire, WI, USA
Ntseeg tau, yeej ua tau. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Massachusetts, USA – 43 –
Queer like the fearlessness to imagine what love can look like and to pursue it. Inspired by a Hmong queer sister from Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Photo by Lee Moua Simpson | Jacksonville, FL, USA
Photo by Doua Kha Madison, WI, USA
9. Change was among the stars when she began to love herself. Inspired by a Hmong sister in Wisconsin, USA
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We are active agents of our communities. We climb mountains, not to leave our families behind, but to pave a path for others to accomplish the same feat. Inspired by Hmong queer sister from Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Photo by Ka Thao Hayward, CA, USA
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Photo by Lela Yang | She
eboygan, WI, USA
The perfect time is when you decide it is time! Inspired by a Hmong sister from Washington, USA
People only see your success, but they are blind to your journey.
Lawv tsuas pom koj txoj kev vam meej xwb, lawv tsis pom txoj kev koj taug. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Ontario, CAN
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Photo by PrettyGeeky Photography Portland, OR, USA
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Love is something beyond what meets the eye. I love you for your soul and for who you are. Inspired by a Hmong queer sister from Georgia, USA
Photos by CX Photography Kitchener, Ontario, CAN
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Live above and beyond judgments. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Minnesota, USA
Photo by Nhia Ly Photography | Albamarle, NC, USA
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Photo by Sua Photography | Wausau, WI, USA
This is my time! My time to grow, my time to follow my passion. Inspired by a Hmong sister from South Brisbane, AUS
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Peb ua tiag yeej tau. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Vientiane, Laos
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Photo by SayPhong Photography Fresno, CA, USA
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When you know you’re enough, anything is possible, immeasurable and boundless. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Massachusetts, USA
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Photo by PrettyGeeky Photography Portland, OR , USA
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Photo by Panhia Lee Providence, RI, USA
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Please no one but yourself! Worry only about what you can control and keep on smiling, always. Inspired by a Hmong sister from Ontario, CAN
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Take ownership of your life! The world needs you, so be YOU. Inspired by a Hmong Sister from Minnesota, USA
Photo by Bao Lee Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Photo by Lela Yang Sheboygan, WI, USA
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Past. Present. Future.
– 64 – Photo by CX Photography | Kitchener, Ontario, CAN
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Photo by Cha Yang | Minneapolis, MN, USA
I am a woman, but it doesn’t mean I should only work and come home. There’s so much more to me than that. Inspired by a Hmong sister from South Brisbane, AUS
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Photo by Bao Lee Los Angeles, CA, USA
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– 68 – Photo by Lela Yang | Sheboygan, WI, USA
Join Us at the Global Virtual Summit An all-day celebration worldwide unlike any other. MAY 19-20, 2018
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Thank you to our sponsors!
Photo by Cha Yang | Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Hmong Women Take on the World
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HMONG WOMEN TAKE ON THE WORLD
Inspired? Share with a friend.
#hmongwomenglobalday #dreambiggertogether #HmongWomenTakeontheWorld
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