Mary Luke & Bely Luu
We met through the Radiant Leadership Institute in early 2021, where Mary was on the planning committee, and Bely was in the inaugural cohort. It was at the height of the syndemic (COVID-19, systemic racism, and health inequities) and during isolating times when people were looking for meaningful connections online. The WOC community created a supportive space where women of color were celebrated and seen and encouraged to outreach to one another. Bely was impressed by Mary’s activism in anti-Asian hate legislation and reached out to learn more about her work and her career trajectory. Mary became an informal mentor who provided resources and advice to help Bely find meaning in her career and life.
When Mary visited Seattle with her daughter, she reached out for recommendations. We met at the Wing Luke* Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience and saw the Bruce Lee exhibit together. We traded stories about our families’ immigration stories and upbringing in America. It was eye-opening to learn about the similar struggles we have been through despite the generational gap. It was also a great opportunity for Bely to meet Mary’s daughter, Pamela, whose Chinese name is Bei Li (Bailey in English) and who was also named by her grandfather. We continue to stay in touch personally and support each other’s philanthropic passions.
Important Advice for Fellow WOC Members
If you see a WOC speaker or member that resonates with you, don’t hesitate to reach out and forge those relationships. The WOC community is super supportive and wants us to meet new friends and colleagues and thrive professionally and personally.
*Wing Luke was the youngest and the first Asian American member of the city council in Seattle, very dynamic and popular and one of the first civil rights lawyers. His life and career were cut short when he died in a plane crash while in office. His family and the Seattle city council built the museum to honor him. His family and Mary’s family came from the same village in Guangzhou, China.
