Doua Thor says she had no choice but to choose social advocacy work.

As the policy advocate for Hmong National Development, Inc., she works towards social inclusion and social justice for the Hmong people, to increase awareness about and understanding of the Southeast Asian community in the United States. She sees her work connected to the broader struggle for equality for underserved communities in the U.S.

"How could I not enter this line of work?" she asks. "That is the way that I frame the question. My family and my life experiences as a refugee, immigrant, living in poverty, facing sexism within the community and the larger society. I do this for all the young people behind me who think they're alone in these struggles."

Born in Laos, Thor immigrated to the United States with her family to escape Lao authorities' persecution of the Hmong. She is devoted to helping her people, who despite their loyalty to America are an often-invisible patch in the American fabric despite their history as patriots for U.S. democracy.

With an identity and culture estimated to be more than 4,000 years old, the Hmong were staunch allies in the United States’ efforts to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. They rescued downed American pilots, fought against the Viet Cong, and acted as guides to U.S. soldiers. They managed to delay the descent of communism in Southeast Asia, but not for long. When the United States pulled out of Saigon, it abandoned the Hmong to brutal communist persecution, despite the Hmong's loyalty and bravery. Many Hmong were force to flee or live in refugee camps to escape retribution for helping the United States. Tens of thousands of Lao and Hmong veterans and their families relocated to America. There are more than 250,000 Lao and Hmong in the United States today. Many Hmong Americans have friends and family still in Laos who continue to be victims of harassment, imprisonment, kidnapping and murder.

"As long as I can remember, my people have been oppressed," Thor says. "From their struggles in China all the way to the present. We've never had a country or prestige. Always considered the most insignificant, yet we have survived through wars and so many obstacles. This is true for my family and how I view the movement of Hmong, and even more specifically women all around the world."

Thor has quickly taken the lead in advocating on behalf of Hmong and other Southeast Asian-Americans on a number if issues. As the policy advocate for HND, she has identified immigration, welfare reform, education, and other national policy interests of the Hmong and advocates on behalf of the Hmong community with policymakers. Last year, HND organized a get-out-the-vote initiative in Minnesota, which increased the number of registered voters and civic participation in the community. She continues to foster key relationships with Congressional staff on issues important to the Hmong, organizing Hmong Day on the Hill in connection with the eighth national Hmong leadership conference.

Thor has long been drawn to social change work. She obtained an undergraduate degree from Wayne State University while working with the Neighborhood Service Organization, where she served as a bridge between the Hmong community and many social service agencies in the Detroit area. While in graduate school, she worked with the Youth Initiatives Project, a program led by young people working on anti-violence and anti-gun campaigns. She has served as a board member for Hmong Women United of Michigan and she was one of the co-founders of Hmong of Tomorrow, a youth group in the Detroit Metropolitan area.