“Always be grateful for what America has done for you.” These are words my parents have said to me for as long as I can remember. As the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, I witnessed firsthand the obstacles they faced navigating a new country. This included leaving their loved ones behind, learning a new language, and owning very few possessions. Not once did I hear them complain. Instead, I heard heartfelt gratitude for the many diverse Americans who wrapped their arms around my family and provided them with the essentials and support to adapt to a new country.
There was Ms. Dorothy, the sweetest lady from church, who taught us how to eat peanut butter and celery and brought us meals when we couldn’t afford to eat. There was the neighbor who helped my parents fill out job applications because they didn’t understand the questions. There was the firefighter who let us live in his basement when we needed a temporary place to live. My family fondly talks about these special people, and many more, who showered us with support and compassion when we needed it most.
When I asked my parents if they were scared when they arrived in the United States, they said: “No, because when we heard about the Statue of Liberty, we knew we were going to be ok.”
To them, the Statue of Liberty represented freedom, something that was priceless and made their difficult sacrifices worth it. They often said: “In America, you kids can be whatever you want to be.”
Fast forward many years later, I could have never imagined working for Coca-Cola Consolidated, a value-driven company that respects my Asian heritage and has been celebrating with me in May. I am also grateful they provided me with the opportunity to be a part of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s EBL Class 11, a diverse and passionate group of talented leaders whom I continue to learn from.
To me, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is about honoring the impactful contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and appreciating my own Vietnamese culture. Although I don’t live in Vietnam, my parent’s cultural teachings continue to help build my character. They taught me the importance of respecting elders, reverence for my ancestors, and how to cook traditional Vietnamese recipes. I also learned the importance of family. Children are taught at an early age to treat family with respect and empathy. I apply these cultural learnings to my daily life and pass these values on to my children.
My definition of family includes the caring community in which I live and work, along with friends that have embraced and supported me throughout my life journey. My extended family is truly a blessing and my parent’s words continue to inspire me, “Always be grateful for what America has done for you.”
Susan Harrell is the senior director of operations at Data Ventures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coca-Cola Consolidated, and a member of the CLT Alliance Emerging Business Leaders Class 11. You can connect with Susan on LinkedIn.
