Gender Equity Task Force

Nyob Zoo! I am “Gao Nou Magdalena Xiong” or “Nkauj Hnub Xyooj los Ntxhais Xyooj.” In December of 2016, I was very blessed to welcome my daughter, Angelina Gaohli Yang, los Nkauj Lis Yaj, who is now a proud 4 year old and anxious to start pre-school this Fall. I am truly blessed to be the 3rd oldest daughter and middle child of kuv niam thiab txiv Nom Xwm Xyooj thiab Kab Yeeb Vaj. I have eleven siblings: 6 brothers and 5 sisters. My mother's paternal parents were Nais Koos Txiaj Lwb Vaj thiab Liag Vwj (both deceased) and my late father's paternal parents were Toj Xeem Tswv Vaj Xyooj thiab Rwm Lis (both deceased). After the passing of my father in 2013, my mom had since remarried in 2018 to kuv txiv tshiab Nyiaj Xyooj. My step-father's paternal parents are Nkaj Xeeb Txiaj Ntsawg thiab Paj Yaj (maternal parent deceased).

I had an extensive background in working with a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dedicated to provide access to quality health care to underserved, uninsured, and underinsured patient communities in Milwaukee since 2007. Over 15 years of service in healthcare, I strive to provide the access, excellent quality of care, and excellent customer service to the underserved communities because I am interested in the health and well-being of people who face uncertain life challenges/needs. I was fortunate to be able to work with one of my mentors earlier on in my profession, Mr. Denis Lee Tucker, former Co-Executive Director of Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, who was not only a good friend of mine, RIP, but who brought so much of his love, support, and advocacies to helping our Hmong people in the County of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Through Denis' professionalism and teaching, I was able to grow as a leader to prepare for the future. My parents embedded in my siblings and me the importance of continuous education and knowledge so that we would bring what we gained and learned back to our Hmong community and to be self sufficient from spousal support. I knew I would dedicate my life to serving our Hmong community to educate and advocate for gender equity, disability awareness, language barriers within the elderly population, mental health issues, and to always ensuring processes and procedures are in place in order to provide healthy-living, with improved wellness in our communities, and quality-of-life longevity. 

Thank you for this opportunity for me to serve each and every one of you. Teamwork is effortless!

In solidarity,

Gao Nou Magdalena Xiong, MBA

Xp Lee has been a local activist in the Twin Cities, Minnesota for nearly twenty years and engaged with his Lee and Vue clans, and the 18 Council, off and on in various capacities. Most recently, he helped form the Hmong 18 Council of Minnesota's Gender Equity Task Force last fall with the mission to help assess, recommend and implement gender equitable practices in the Hmong community. Xp is an artist and creative spirit at heart, enjoying stories and the outdoors whenever he can.