The first Hmong woman to pass the bar exam in Minnesota. The first Hmong woman to be appointed a University of Minnesota Regent. Her was a co-founder of Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together. She was an activist, advocate, leader and trailblazer in Minnesota’s Asian community – shattering traditional views. She led the government agency Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM) for more than a decade and founded multiple nonprofits serving Asian Americans. During her career, Kao Ly served as executive director of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, led the Hmong Elders Center and as Regent of the University of Minnesota. She also partnered with numerous arts and neighborhood organizations such as Theater Mu, Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Museum of American Art and the Hmong Museum to promote cross-cultural learning
Her graduated from Hamline University with a degree in political science. In 1994, she obtained her law degree at the University of Minnesota.
Source: SahanJournal | Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together | Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation | MPRNews |