Kao Ly Ilean Her Memorial Fund
Tax deductible
In memory of Kao Ly Ilean Her, who devoted her life to improving the lives of Hmong women and girls, at the request of her beloved family members, we are seeking the community's support to create a memorial fund in honor of Kao Ly Ilean Her.
On May 13, 2021, Ilean passed peacefully with a few of her family members by her side, and the rest of her family present via video.
In 2008, Ilean was a cofounder of Hnub Tshiab Hmong Women Achieving Together, a nonprofit organization in St. Paul, MN, whose mission is to be a catalyst for lasting cultural, institutional and social change to improve the lives of Hmong women. We envision a world where Hmong women and girls are valued and supported to achieve their highest potential in all of their roles. We see a society that honors the choices that Hmong women make and celebrates their ability to direct their own destinies.
Ilean co-created and led the Hmong Girls Leadership Institute (HGLI) and the Girls Enterprise Zone (EZ), two programs intended to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills in Hmong girls ages 12 to18 years old. Ilean also co-created the Hmong Women's Leadership Institute (HWLI) in 2008, to develop Hmong women leaders. Over the last 13 years, we have graduated 12 cohorts comprising of over 144 Hmong women from HWLI.
She served as executive director of the State of Minnesota Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans and founded several nonprofits, including Allies for Mentoring Asian Youth, and the Heritage Center for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She has served as a trustee of the Minneapolis Foundation, the Asian Pacific Endowment of the St. Paul Foundation, and Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Ilean received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Hamline University and a law degree from the University of Minnesota.
Ilean was recently appointed to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents where she was an advocate for education access to all students, especially students of color and those from lower socioeconomic communities, as she valued education as a doorway to opportunity for all regardless of beginnings. We wish to honor her passion for youth and education with this fund.
Ilean loved chocolate, knitting, flowers, dresses, cooking and hosting meals, spending time with family, and traveling. She was a respected and loved leader, breaking boundaries and paving the way for other Hmong women. She always gave to others rather than asking anything for herself. She will be missed.
On May 13, 2021, Ilean passed peacefully with a few of her family members by her side, and the rest of her family present via video.
In 2008, Ilean was a cofounder of Hnub Tshiab Hmong Women Achieving Together, a nonprofit organization in St. Paul, MN, whose mission is to be a catalyst for lasting cultural, institutional and social change to improve the lives of Hmong women. We envision a world where Hmong women and girls are valued and supported to achieve their highest potential in all of their roles. We see a society that honors the choices that Hmong women make and celebrates their ability to direct their own destinies.
Ilean co-created and led the Hmong Girls Leadership Institute (HGLI) and the Girls Enterprise Zone (EZ), two programs intended to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills in Hmong girls ages 12 to18 years old. Ilean also co-created the Hmong Women's Leadership Institute (HWLI) in 2008, to develop Hmong women leaders. Over the last 13 years, we have graduated 12 cohorts comprising of over 144 Hmong women from HWLI.
She served as executive director of the State of Minnesota Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans and founded several nonprofits, including Allies for Mentoring Asian Youth, and the Heritage Center for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She has served as a trustee of the Minneapolis Foundation, the Asian Pacific Endowment of the St. Paul Foundation, and Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Ilean received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Hamline University and a law degree from the University of Minnesota.
Ilean was recently appointed to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents where she was an advocate for education access to all students, especially students of color and those from lower socioeconomic communities, as she valued education as a doorway to opportunity for all regardless of beginnings. We wish to honor her passion for youth and education with this fund.
Ilean loved chocolate, knitting, flowers, dresses, cooking and hosting meals, spending time with family, and traveling. She was a respected and loved leader, breaking boundaries and paving the way for other Hmong women. She always gave to others rather than asking anything for herself. She will be missed.
Organizer
Hnub Tshiab
Organizer
St. Paul, MN
Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together
Beneficiary