AsianAmericanVoices

In 1981, Iris fled Vietnam and took shelter at a Thai refugee camp. Filled with hope as well as uncertainty, she was granted sponsorship to come to the United States. The transition was abrupt, but through her courage and the support of a refugee organization, Iris survived her first months in Silicon Valley. The tools and resources provided at this critical time allowed her to adapt and eventually thrive. Today, as a graduate student, social worker, and activist, Iris strives passionately to give voice to the vulnerable and build a community that honors the health and dignity of all.