Helen Zia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Helen Zia
謝漢蘭
Zia in 2024
Born	1952 (age 72–73) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Education	Princeton University (BA) Tufts University
Occupation	Journalist, activist
Spouse(s)	Lia Shigemura

Helen Zia (born 1952) is a brave Chinese American journalist and activist. She works hard for the rights of Asian Americans and LGBTQ people. Helen Zia helped start a group called American Citizens for Justice. This group successfully pushed for a federal trial to get justice for a serious crime. Many people see her as a very important person in the Asian American movement. Her actions helped bring together Asian American activists in the Midwest. Helen Zia continues to speak up for many causes, like women's rights and equal rights for all. She has also written several books about the history and experiences of Asian Americans.

Life and Work

Early Life and Learning

Helen Zia was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1952. Her parents were immigrants from Shanghai, China. When she was just five years old, she started helping in her parents' flower business.

In the early 1970s, Helen went to Princeton University. She was part of the first group of women to graduate from Princeton. While there, she helped create the Asian American Students Association. She also spoke out against the Vietnam War. Helen believed strongly in feminism, which means equal rights for women. She also worked to unite people of different races who had low incomes.

Helen started medical school at Tufts University in 1974 but left in 1976. She then moved to Detroit, Michigan. There, she worked in construction and at a car factory. She also helped organize communities. This is where she found her true calling as a journalist and writer.

Fighting for Justice

Helen Zia was living in Detroit when a terrible event happened in 1982. A man named Vincent Chin was murdered. Helen played a key role in getting federal civil rights charges filed against those responsible. Her journalism and advocacy helped unite the Asian American community to demand justice for Vincent Chin.

She co-founded American Citizens for Justice, a civil rights group in Detroit. In 1983, Helen Zia became the president of this important group.

Helen has also spoken out about many other issues. These include civil rights, peace, women's rights, and fighting for fairness for all people, including LGBTQ+ individuals. In 1997, she spoke to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. She talked about how news media affects different racial groups.

In 1995, she traveled to Beijing, China. She was part of a group of journalists of color at the United Nations Fourth World Congress on Women. Her work on the Vincent Chin case is shown in the film Who Killed Vincent Chin?. She was also featured in a PBS documentary called "Becoming American: The Chinese Experience."

Awards and Recognitions

A. Magazine named Helen Zia one of the most influential Asian Americans of her time. She has won many journalism awards for her important stories.

The Law School of the City University of New York gave her an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. This was to recognize her work in bringing important legal and civil rights issues to public attention.

In August 2020, Helen Zia received the NAAAP100 Award. This award is from the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP). She shared the award with other inspiring people.

In 2022, the Museum of the Courageous honored Helen Zia. They celebrated her brave actions in standing up against hate and working for justice in the country.

Books and Writings

Helen Zia's most recent book is Last Boat Out of Shanghai. It was released in January 2019. This book tells the amazing story of Chinese people who left China during Mao's Revolution.

In January 2000, she wrote Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People. This book was a finalist for a major book prize. Former president of the United States Bill Clinton even quoted from this book.

In 2002, she co-wrote My Country Versus Me with Wen Ho Lee. This book shares Lee's experiences as a scientist. He was wrongly accused of being a spy for China.

Helen also contributed to the 2003 book Sisterhood Is Forever: The Women's Anthology for a New Millennium. This book was edited by Robin Morgan.

Helen Zia was the executive editor of Ms. Magazine from 1989 to 1992. She also serves on the board of directors for the Women's Media Center. Her articles and reviews have appeared in many publications. These include Ms., The New York Times, and The Washington Post.

Personal Life

In June 2008, Helen Zia married her partner, Lia Shigemura. They were married in San Francisco. This made them one of the first same-sex couples to legally marry in California.

Helen currently lives in Oakland, California. She continues her activism and workshops there, inspiring others to work for a fairer world.

See also

In Spanish: Helen Zia para niños