I AM KOREAN AMERICAN

Own Words

I was first elected in 2000 as a Trustee for Santa Clara County Board of Education and re-elected in 2004 and 2008. I have just completed my second term as the president of the board. I was the first Korean-born female to be elected in California’s history. I have worked with a wide range of youth, including those from South Central Los Angeles, Los Altos and Santa Clara County’s Juvenile Hall. In addition to my school board work, I have been elected three times to the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee. I was awarded the State Democratic Party’s JFK, Jr. Award for Public Service and have been commended by SEIU for my advocacy work. I am bilingual in Korean and English and also speak some Spanish. I hold a bachelor’s degree in theology and mental health from Franciscan University in Ohio and have studied at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley. I live in Santa Clara, CA with my husband, Chris, and our two sons.