Lyndie Ho '20

Going into this summer, I knew that I wanted to combine my interest in public health with my cultural background. I had the incredible fortune to stumble upon the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative project of Asian Health Services. The Collaborative strives to create a healthier and more just working environment for nail salon workers, who are predominantly Vietnamese, immigrant, and lower-income. I worked with an exceptional team combining expertise in public health, labor rights, and environmental safety. I got to see the inner workings of a nonprofit organization, interact directly with workers, and advocate for policy change at the California state capital.

Being part of an institution like Asian Health Services with such a powerful legacy was also instrumental to my growth. I learned so much about the history of Asians in the Bay Area and the importance of grassroots work in our communities. Places like Asian Health Services are necessary not only to provide for our communities but also to be a voice to power, to advocate for us on the local, state, and federal level. Though I’m still unsure on what exactly what I want to do in the future, my summer experience instilled in me a fundamental need to give back to the communities that have made my success possible. I am so grateful to the A3C and Asian Health Services for allowing me to be a part of such important work.