Where I am from: now and gene Features in the conversation pieces between generations-as a younger woman and her grandmother-debate a subject such as beauty rituals, economics or marriage. For our latest payout, we spoke with two icons in Vietnamese society: Amanda Nguyenan activist and astronaut, and Kieu chinhA philanthropist and actor known for their roles in “The Joy Luck Club” and, recently, “The Sympathizer.” Read their inspirational conversation below.
Civil Law activist Amanda Nguyen always strived to be an astronaut. But after being raped in college and met an unfair legal system, she put her dreams. She decided on pencil their own rights to existence and founded RiseA non -profit that advocates for the survival of sexual violence. When she worked persistently to approve more than 80 laws to protect surviving rights, she never gave up her mission to go to space. Now she will soon be first Vietnamese and South Asian woman walking – And she will swing her signature red lip.
“I have always worn makeup in these high pressure hours, when I testify in front of the UN and the US Senate,” she says. “But also, I was really aware when I wore red lipstick for my astronaut photo. It is because I want women to know that you can be both. You don’t have to choose.” That perspective is what led her to cooperate with Elf Beauty for one Section of the brand’s special -powered document series“Show your (s) moose” to strengthen young women in stem. “I know that so many women in STEM are expected to be either a scientist or an engineer, but they also like fashion and wear makeup. We are often in these labels and I want to break down these boundaries. Because you can definitely be a scientist and carry lipsticks, says she.
While Nguyen’s activism has made her a role model for many, she has also taken inspiration from her own mentors, such as Vietnamese icon Kieu Chinh. “I feel that Kieu Chinh is the symbolic mother of so many Vietnamese and Asian American women in my generation,” says Nguyen.
Although Chinh and Nguyen only met a few weeks before this chat, they have long supported and lifted each other. Chinh initially met Nguyen’s parents in a social environment, which triggered a social media relationship between the two. “I admired her so much from what I know of her story,” says Chinh. “But when we finally met each other, it was as if we had known each other for a long time,” despite their 50-year age difference.
Forward, the two women discuss the importance of sharing their stories, how they have inspired each other and how their Vietnamese heritage affects their activism and advocates in their respective areas.
In Haithing of Vietnamese History
Amanda Nguyen: I am so grateful and honored to be the first Vietnamese woman and the first Southeast Asian woman in space. And although I will be the first, I definitely don’t want to be the last. I want to bring my community with me. Part of the reason I fell in love with the stars is that it is part of my family history. My mother and her family studied the star and used heavenlyavigation to find their way to freedom. My dad is a airline. Both are engineers and they have actually joked at home that they turned to coding because it was easier to learn than English in America. So when I grew up in that household, I knew about their resilience, but also that the stars symbolized freedom. That was what made me study astrophysics and take this trip. They came on boats, and now we are on spaceships. I want the world to know that we belong. That is why I am so intentional about what I will look like when I fly.
I recently went back to Vietnam last year and recalled my mother’s boat refugee trip. I will fly the shells from her Malaysian refugee island into space. Between the US Foreign Ministry and the Vietnam National Space Center, I also conduct an experiment that will collaborate between the two nations that make up who I am. It is the 50th anniversary since the Vietnam War, and this flight will be a symbol of peace and reconciliation between two parts of me. I am really proud to be able to conduct that experiment and show how science can be a tool for peace.
Kieu Chinh: My God, I have goose goats, Amanda. Honestly. You’re amazing.
A: I feel the same way about you.
KC: 2025 marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War and 50 years of Vietnamese society in the United States. I would like to thank my sponsor, the actress Tippi Hedren, who sponsored me into this country and America for opening the door to make our home on this country. The young generation that Amanda is the future. In my generation, women always stood behind men, but nowadays I see women as Amanda and I don’t see it anymore. If men can go to the moon, women can also go to the moon. And Amanda is coming. I can’t wait for it to happen. I really think that her life should be made into a movie to show young women that if you really want to do something, if you really go for it, you will.
It’s not like my generation. I’ve gone through so much. I am like a living witness about Vietnam’s history. I was born in the north and left in 1954, when the French war in Indochina quit and divided our country into two parts. I went to Söderna at the age of 15 myself, so I became a refugee in my own country. I have to admit that I was strong too. I think whatever you have, you give back to your community. That is why I founded a charity with my two co-founders, journalist Terry Anderson and former Vetnam veterinarian and Pulitzer Prize winner Lewis Puller, Jr. The three of us formed it Vietnam Children’s Fund. We strive to build schools for the children in Vietnam, in the villages that were injured during wartime. So far we have built 52 schools around the country, and every year our school has enough places for 50,000 children.
When they share their stories
A: Many people ask me, “Where did you get the strength to take on the US government?” And I often say, “If my mother went through a whole refugee excursion, what do you send a senator?” I really draw my strength and courage when I look at people like you and what they have gone through, victims and travel they have taken to be where they are. With the history of resilience that they have had to build through tragedy, I can really afford to exercise the rights I have received in this country, which is to speak for my freedom and make this country a more perfect association.
KC: I had to continue, keep moving. I learned from Young when I became a refugee as if to survive and be what you want to be, I had to work hard. I worked very hard and saw that there were so many opportunities out there, especially after coming to America. I cannot imagine that we, the immigrants, the refugees, would have a young lady on the cover for the newspaper Time and will soon come to space.
After the Vietnam War, there were so many books written about Vietnam by outsiders. And so many films have been made about Vietnam, but none of the female characters are comfortable in the story. I want more movies and books about Vietnamese women. I don’t want to say like me. . .
A: I say that. Like you! I would watch that movie.
KC: I have written my memoir. My memoir is a witness to the story of what I have gone through. I wish there were movies like the kind of story, as your story, which shows more than the books others have written about our country, about our women. There are women like you, Amanda. There are women like me, and that is what I want to see more of: different perspectives on women about Vietnam, our society, our culture. Our country was at war for so long. But still, we still have love, family, culture to talk about the fact that I would like to share with the world. The more I talk about this, the more I want to watch your movie, Amanda.
A: I want to see yours. What you shared was so powerful.
On inspiring each other
KC: I am very proud of Amanda for what she has gone through, and she is still resilient and so strong. She gets us women, even with me, looks up to her. She gives me so much hope for the future of the young generation.
A: I want to thank you for paved the way for so many of us to see us reflected. Your talent in the story touched so many people. I know that you have represented for our society so much beyond representation. So thank you for existing and for being in these spaces and showing the world that we deserve to be on the screen.
KC: Thank you very much. I also have to thank someone up there and help me. At this age I am still very active and still work. I have never been busy like this before in my life.
A: It’s so inspiring. I think so many women feel pressured. There is this terrible stereotype that when you hit 30 you are done. And to see that your career is just blooming and you are what, 80 years young? It is so incredible and so inspiring.
Who is your place are features editor of popsugar, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages over the network. A degree from Syracuse Universities Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in pop culture and women’s lifestyle spaces. She is passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses for lifestyle, entertainment and style.
