The woman elders have found employment that is close to their heart. As sewing teachers, they have also found a sense of empowerment through their ability to share with the students what they call the insignia of Hmong cultural heritage in an educational setting which Hmong value highly. Teaching sewing to boys is a new experience for the elders.
Students sit around the elders to learn sewing the Hmong way - by watching and practicing.
Working with the elders brings a smile to all of the students, in this picture, Iriya Thao.