On May 17th, the Chinese Nationalist Party’s Meishi West Branch held the 16th “Loving Mothers Commendation Ceremony” in Milpitas, California, with approximately 400 attendees. The event aimed to honor mothers recommended by their children and community associations, featuring artistic performances and activities to celebrate Mother’s Day.
During the event, Vice Consul General Zhu Yongchang from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, along with the senior committee member Song Zhen of the Meishi West Branch, presented commendation certificates to the “Loving Mothers” including Liang Xiaozhen, Jian Xiuzhen, Chen Tianning, Weng Xiumei, Li Yunhua, Zhou Gulan, Yu Guoying, and Wu Yunliang. The ceremony also included a group photo session and a Mother’s Day cake-cutting celebration.
Song Zhen mentioned in her speech that the “Loving Mothers Commendation Ceremony” has entered its 16th year, with 8 loving mothers receiving recognition this year. She expressed hope for the continuous expansion of the event in the future and encouraged overseas Chinese communities to actively recommend their own loving mothers. She also thanked the Meishi West Branch’s working team and volunteers for their assistance in organizing the event.
Representing Consul General Wu Zhixiang, Vice Consul General Zhu Yongchang stated that Mother’s Day is a global holiday that highlights the crucial role of mothers in families. He emphasized that the honored loving mothers not only take care of their families and educate their children but also extend their love to community service.
In today’s society, mothers not only juggle family responsibilities but also face pressures from the workplace and economic challenges. Balancing family commitments while contributing to community service is indeed commendable.
He expressed his desire for the event to continue expanding, attracting more attention to the sacrifices and contributions mothers make to both their families and communities.
Special guest, Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano, extended her Mother’s Day wishes to all mothers, acknowledging the significant impact mothers have on both the family and the community. As Milpitas’ first female mayor, she pledged to further promote urban development and community unity.
President of the Huamei Traditional Foundation, Lin Darui, highlighted in his speech that the “Loving Mothers Commendation Ceremony” not only acknowledges mothers’ dedication to their families but also underscores the importance of family ethics and the inheritance of Chinese culture within the overseas Chinese community. He praised the organizers for hosting such events regularly, which foster community solidarity and enhance connections within the overseas Chinese community.
Following the event, Loving Mother Zhou Gulan shared in an interview with Dajiyuan that in the early years, many overseas Chinese immigrants coming to the Bay Area yearned for a place where they could connect with their fellow compatriots. Thus, she had been involved in organizing alumni associations and community activities, as well as assisting in establishing bilingual schools, providing opportunities for Chinese and multi-ethnic families’ children to engage more with the Chinese language and culture.
She has also been dedicated to promoting Peking opera, inviting performance groups to showcase their talents in the community. She expressed that serving the community through cultural activities is a meaningful endeavor, and receiving the commendation this time has filled her with honor.