To celebrate Mother’s Day and May as “Asian Heritage Month,” the Flushing Chinese (Chamber of Commerce) Business Association (FCBA, also known as the Flushing Chinese Business Association) held the 15th annual “Happy Mothers” celebration on May 10th at the Flushing New Mulan Restaurant. Fifty mothers from “three generations under one roof” families were present to receive community blessings surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and friends, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
The organizers stated that the “Happy Mothers” event, which first started in 2010, has become a significant Mother’s Day event in the Flushing Chinese community. Due to the pandemic’s impact, the event was canceled in 2020 and 2021, making this year the 15th edition. Including this year’s honorees, the chamber has honored nearly 800 mothers with “Happy Mothers” corsages and commendation certificates to pay tribute to their longstanding dedication to their families.
At this year’s event, the oldest “Happy Mother” was 91 years old, and she was presented with flowers by Dr. Zheng Donghuan, the Chairman of FCBA. Dr. Zheng explained that the purpose of the “Happy Mothers” event is to promote the traditional values of respecting mothers and the elderly. He emphasized that mothers not only give life but are also vital pillars that hold families together, deserving long-term gratitude and respect from society.
One of the awardees, Dr. Huang Xueli, the Executive Director of the Charity Foundation of the Asian American Physicians Association, expressed her excitement about participating in the event for the first time as a grandmother this year.
Dr. Huang emphasized that Chinese culture has always emphasized “respecting the elderly and caring for the young” and family ethics. She believes that mothers should pass on the spirit of love for the family, sense of responsibility, and mutual care to the next generation to promote harmony within families. She mentioned that the stability and harmony of families are essential as they form the foundation of society, ensuring greater stability in communities and society as a whole.
Another honored mother, Vice President of the Chinese American Women’s Association Chen Jiajia, shared that she had wanted to participate in the event for years but hesitated because she felt “too young.” She mentioned that at 56 years old as a mother of three children and a grandmother of two, it was only when her mother reminded her of becoming a grandmother and their household spanning four generations that she decided to join the event with her family.
Chen Jiajia mentioned that 17 family members attended the event this year, all dressed in coordinating outfits to celebrate Mother’s Day. She shared that their family annually celebrates Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with different themed outfits, which has become a tradition that brings different generations closer together. She expressed that being a mother and a grandmother taught her about tolerance, responsibility, selfless dedication, and active involvement in charity to give back to the community.
Another recognized mother, former Chief Operating Officer of the Asian American Physicians Association, Shen Hui, highlighted that the most important aspect of a happy mother is the family. She mentioned that mothers often work hard and sacrifice for their families while raising young children, which is a challenging yet joyful and growth-filled experience. She encouraged young mothers not to fear challenges as the process of caring for children teaches valuable life lessons.
Shen Hui stated that she learned the most valuable qualities of compassion, empathy, and putting oneself in others’ shoes from her mother. She believed that this selfless spirit deeply influenced her and should continue to be passed down to future generations.
FCBA’s Chief Advisor Peter Du emphasized that the most crucial reminder of the event is to “treat your mother well while she is still alive.” He believed that one of the core values of Chinese culture to be proud of is the emphasis on filial piety, family ethics, and a spirit of gratitude. However, he also pointed out that modern filial piety should progress with the times, with both parents and children understanding and respecting each other mutually. He indicated that true filial piety involves both children being filial to their parents and parents being accommodating to their children, creating a complete cycle of respect.
Several elected officials also attended the event to pay their respects. Congressman Meng Zhaowen mentioned being both a mother and a daughter, understanding deeply the labor mothers contribute to their families and communities. He emphasized that Chinese families may not often express “I love you” through words, but mothers exhibit deep emotions and sacrifice through daily actions.
State Assemblyman Jin Duoxi expressed that “Happy Mothers” is one of the community events he most looks forward to each year. He noted the long-term dedication of many mothers, grandmothers, and female elders who contribute silently but are rarely openly thanked. He believed that this “silent but resilient sacrifice” is a crucial force supporting families and communities.
Attending officials included New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Council Members Huang Minyi, Li Linda, and Deputy Chief of Police Traffic Department Ge Yuyan, along with other distinguished guests, all extending Mother’s Day blessings to the mothers present and thanking them for their long-term love and strength for their families, future generations, and community. The event also featured a variety of exciting and lively cultural performances, creating a festive atmosphere.