International President’s Message

Share the Love

2021-2023

Alpha Delta Kappa

Sharing Connections is what Alpha Delta Kappa and Share the Love is all about. The opportunities, the possibilities are infinite. This issue will touch on just a few of the many wonderful connections made within and beyond A∆K. Many of these “connections” become lifelong friends. One special connection for me has been with our 2019-2021 International Teacher Education (ITE) scholar, Trang Hoang, who came to the United States from Vietnam. I first met Trang through Immediate Past International Vice President (IVP) of the Northwest Region Glad Loreen. Glad and I co-chaired the 2018 NW/SW Joint Regional Conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Glad learned that Trang would be pursuing her Master’s degree in Educational Policy at the University of Washington, just twenty minutes from Glad’s home in Redmond, and I had already planned a visit to Glad and Ian’s home in September of 2019. Glad and I took Trang to lunch in Seattle and began to learn what an intelligent and dedicated student she was. Her message to us was that she wanted to give back to her community and to A∆K. Little did we know then what opportunities would lie ahead for her to do just that, even in the face of a global pandemic.

Glad and I bonded quickly in the months following our installation as regional vice-presidents at the 2017 International Convention in New Orleans (what an outstanding convention!). I made five visits to Seattle prior to the 2018 NW/SW Joint Regional Conference. One of the many connections that hastened the bond was the importance of November 19. It is an anniversary that reminds us both of significant loss in our lives. It also now reminds us that sisters are always there for each other, in times of joy and of sorrow.

I had always been impressed with the ITE scholars - remarkable women who have served their home country school communities and are furthering their education here. After attending the ITE weekend at Headquarters in Kansas City in November of 2018 and hearing their stories first-hand, I knew that this scholarship program is one of the best we have. When I learned Trang would be studying and was close to where Glad lived, I wanted to connect with her. Once the pandemic began, Trang’s studies went completely virtual, and she completed her Master’s with no face-to-face interaction with her fellow classmates or professors. Imagine being thousands of miles away from your home for those 15 months. Trang’s connections with A∆K sisters truly became a lifeline. She was made an honorary member of Washington Alpha Delta chapter, presented virtually at several chapter and S/P/N meetings and excelled in her Master’s program. I was able to visit in June of 2021 and celebrate her graduation. At that time Trang already knew she would be unable to return home as planned in August of 2021. Vietnam was locked down with COVID cases rising, and commercial flights into the country canceled. It was a very difficult time for her, having spent two years away from her family and then not being able to return home. Additionally, Trang couldn’t work in the U.S. on a student visa without the Fulbright program’s permission, so she was financially strapped.

The 2021 virtual International Convention was to be held in July. I invited Glad and Trang to come to California as my guests and join me during the convention. They spent just over a week. Trang was able to find some good Vietnamese food in the Los Angeles area and spend some time at the beach. More importantly, I was able to learn more from her about what a thoughtful person she is and more details of her Master’s work. It is fascinating. That is a topic for another time.

The next challenge for Trang was obtaining a student visa extension with the Fulbright program’s help. It was a lengthy process. Her visa was not extended until the very last moment. She was also given permission by Fulbright to work in the field of her Master’s and an offer came from WestEd, a non-profit educational research company based in San Francisco. I am familiar with WestEd’s work, having been a curriculum coordinator and administrator in California. They have an excellent reputation. And so, our most recent connection was made when another sister and I picked up Trang at San Francisco International Airport, took her shopping, and helped her settle into her new home away from home in San Francisco. She was immediately invited to a holiday luncheon, and will continue to make connections with other A∆K sisters and their families in the area. Trang is working on multiple research projects for WestEd. She is contributing to our understanding of current educational policies within our country and learning invaluable skills that she will use when she returns to Vietnam. Her desire is to improve the educational system within her home country and, as with many other ITE scholars, I know she will.

Trang’s story is one among many. The connections made with sisters in the Northwest region and now in the Southwest region are strong and inspiring. Through our desire to support Trang and all of our ITE scholars, connections are made across the organization. Each of our lives is enriched by the connections we make throughout and beyond A∆K. Sharing those connections with potential members will strengthen our sisterhood. Remember, each one, reach one.