Co-Author of Women Who Dream Linda Yang – Helping First Generation Americans Recognize They are Not Alone, and Making an Impact for Generations to Come
Written by Rosa Linda Fallon
Born in California to two Vietnam War refugees, Linda Yang understands perseverance and the challenges of adapting to a new culture. Today, she shares her testimony as a Co-Author in the International Bestseller Women Who Dream by Kate Butler, in hopes that other First Generation Americans will realize that they are not alone. “I recognize that many other individuals in this country are going through the same challenges that I did,” Linda says. “My story in the Women Who Dream book is really the start of sharing my message to the world.”
After the Vietnam War, Linda’s parents relocated to California as refugees of war where they found work in the farm industry. They eventually recognized that working in farming did not provide them with adequate healthcare, so they packed up and left California for North Carolina in the early 1990s. The family settled in Hickory, NC where Linda’s father found work at a plastic packaging factory, and her mother found work in the hosiery industry. Eventually, her parents were able to save enough money to purchase their own sewing machines. They installed the sewing machines in the basement of their home, and it was there that young Linda would sew socks as a source of income to help support her family and to save for her college education. “I did that all through high school, every single weekend,” Linda recalls. Even though Linda had to help support her family growing up, she never resented it, because she says she knew that “it was only temporary” until she left for college.
In addition to earning a college degree, one of Linda’s life goals is to become a published author. Last year, she achieved this milestone. While working with her life coach Jan Edwards, Linda got connected with Kate Butler, #1 International Best Selling Author and Success Coach, who helped her make this dream a reality. “We talked through the ideas that I had, and how that could translate or be part of a project she was working on,” Linda says. Coincidentally, Kate was working on the Women Who Dream book at the time. “We felt, and I also agree, that my story would be a great addition to that book. That’s when I started working with her more directly with her program,” Linda explains. “I think at that point, I didn’t realize what it could transpire to become. Working with Kate, she really opened my eyes to help me see that my story should be heard, and that I have messages to share with other individuals who really need to hear this. ”
In the pages of Women Who Dream, Linda shares her experience growing up with her refugee parents. She describes their struggles, their unwavering perseverance, and their ability to overcome and adapt to the challenges of learning a new culture. Linda writes about how watching her parents build from the ground up impacted her in a positive way, encouraging her to strive for her own goals and aspirations. “When they relocated to the United States, [they had] the opportunity to dream; they didn’t have that where they were from where there was war, struggle, death, just a negative environment. I recognize that for my story,” she says.
Linda hopes her story in Women Who Dream will positively impact other young women who may be experiencing a similar situation in their own families. She says, “I feel like, sometimes, there may be other people out there who are doing these things, and they may feel alone, that they are the only ones who would have to go through this challenge, or go through a difficult time, and work hard to help their families, but that’s okay; it’s an opportunity to offer your help,” Linda says. “It’s okay that other families do not require that of their children, but other families do, and it’s okay because it’s temporary.”
Linda is also passionate about healthcare. She grew up listening to her parents’ and grandparents’ stories of how doctors and nurses who volunteered at the refugee camps gave them hope and provided them with medicine when they were sick. She is now a content contributor for This Week Health podcast as a host for the Town Hall Show. Linda and her husband also have three children: 8-year-old Madelyn, 5-year-old Meredith, and 4-year-old Jeremiah. While she admits life can be crazy sometimes, Linda has the support of her family and continues her passion for writing, mostly in the evenings and on the weekends. She intends to eventually publish her own book in which she will talk more about her experiences working as a First Generation American professional in the workforce.
Linda is also making an effort to reach First Generation Americans through the creation of a new website called PositiveScope.org. While it is still in the works, her goal for the website is to share resources, tools, and professional services that can help individuals dealing with challenges as First Generation Americans. “I’m the first to graduate from college; I’m the first to hold a white-collar professional job in my family,” she says. “Many other people in the world are going through that as well. Not only that, people could be the first in their family to break addiction, they could be the first in their family to stop an abuse cycle that’s been going on for generations,” she adds. “Overcoming those challenges can have a great, positive impact for families across generations; it’s not just for the person who has achieved their dreams, but the impact of that achievement can have generational ripple effects.”
To read this issue’s article of Kate Butler, visit: carolinasparkmagazine.com/winter-2023/best-selling-author-kate-butler-inspires-women
For more information on Kate Butler Books, visit www.katebutlerbooks.com
To keep up with Linda Yang’s new project, visit www.positivescope.org
Purchase #1 International Best-Selling Book Women Who Dream https://amzn.to/3aYHbvE
To learn more about This Week Health podcast, visit www.thisweekhealth.com