Moua's mother is partly responsible for Moua's proposal to create an outlet for Hmong girls. Her mother has published a book chronicling her experiences as one of the earliest Hmong refugees in America, and recently discussed her life with Carleton students during a visit to campus. Moua also is motivated by her feeling that the needs and concerns of Hmong female teenagers are growing. The first part will focus on Hmong women in history. Moua hopes to introduce the girls to elderly Hmong women who can discuss the importance of traditional customs-folk songs, tapestries and dress.
Hmong girls wear traditional costumes on holidays.
I have a dress that weighs about 20 pounds, and I need my mother's help to put it on. A critical part of the curriculum will be understanding Hmong women in present, or how the pressures faced today by all teenagers affect these Hmong girls in particular. Moua will focus on discussing such concerns as AIDS, pregnancy and drugs, which are topics Hmong girls often can't talk about at home. The Hmong culture puts a lot of stock in reputation, and a lot of assumptions are made. If your daughter wants to talk about pregnancy, it must mean she's having sex, and to talk about that is considered shameful.