MADISON, Wis. — After nearly three decades of service, Mai Zong Vue, a prominent Hmong leader and advocate, has retired from her role with the state of Wisconsin.
However, her passion for serving the community continues to drive her efforts.
What You Need To Know
Mai Zong Vue, COO of the Hmong Institute, retired after 29 years of service for the state but continues her advocacy for the Hmong community
Vue created the “Refugee Family Strengthening” program to address domestic abuse through family-focused strategies
She leads initiatives for elders, including bingo, meals and mental health support, to combat isolation and depression
Vue is now focused on grant writing to address food insecurity and expand meal programs for underserved families
Mai Zong Vue, COO of the Hmong Institute, retired after 29 years of service for the state but continues her advocacy for the Hmong community
Vue created the “Refugee Family Strengthening” program to address domestic abuse through family-focused strategies
She leads initiatives for elders, including bingo, meals and mental health support, to combat isolation and depression
Vue is now focused on grant writing to address food insecurity and expand meal programs for underserved families
Vue, chief operating officer of the Hmong Institute, remains actively involved in advocacy, from packing meals for underserved families to supporting the mental health of elders in her community.
“It takes time and resilience, but I know it can happen because I can make things happen. I don’t give up,” Vue said.
Vue’s determination has been evident since she was 13, when she boldly refused a culturally accepted arranged marriage with an older man.
“It’s like I’m fighting to be my own,” she said. “I didn’t just want to get married and have kids. I wanted to do something more.”
She went on to graduate from high school, earn a college degree and serve 29 years as a Wisconsin state worker. During that time, under Gov. Jim Doyle, Vue created the “Refugee Family Strengthening” program, a ground-breaking domestic abuse initiative.
“I knew if we called it a domestic abuse program, it would be dead upon arrival,” Vue said. “So, we worked with children to strengthen families, addressing the root issues indirectly.”
Today, Vue continues to make a difference through her work with the Hmong Institute. She supports one of the largest Hmong communities in the United States by running programs that bring elders together for activities like bingo and meals.
“When people are depressed, they don’t want to get out of bed,” Vue said. “For our elders, it’s so important for them to see friends, get happy and have a purpose.”
Her efforts extend beyond social gatherings. Vue and her team provide culturally significant meals like pho noodles and other healthy options, prepared from scratch.
Mai Yia Nia Jong, a caseworker at the Hmong Institute, said she’s honored to work with Vue, and considers her a mentor.
“She works so hard every day,” said Jong. “I give her five stars.”
In addition to her hands-on work, Vue is writing grants to address ongoing foodm insecurity among Wisconsin’s Hmong community.
“Hopefully, we can get more funding and do food drives weekly,” she said, as her mission continues into retirement.
