On September 6th, Yorba Linda Mayor Peggy Huang participated in the “UN Go!” gala and shared her journey and insights as the first elected Chinese-American mayor of Orange County. When she started her career in public affairs at the age of 19, she noticed a lack of Taiwanese and other Asian-American leaders, often finding herself as the only Asian face in the room.
Huang’s parents instilled in her the values of hard work, respect for others, and speaking up for the voiceless, which motivated her transition from lawyer to city council member. During the early stages of her campaign, facing about 80% white community, she encountered racism and insults, with people even making fun of her surname “Huang” by saying choosing “Huang” is choosing “Wrong”. However, the community supporters eventually showed real actions, set aside prejudices, and supported Huang’s service and advocacy.
As the first Taiwanese city council member elected in Southern California, Huang’s role not only represents herself but also signifies Taiwanese-Americans in California. She continues to mentor the next generation of Asian leaders and encourages youth in both Asian-majority and white-majority communities to participate in decision-making and have an impact.
Huang emphasizes that public service platforms can promote Taiwan’s democratic values, community service is a key force in dispelling prejudices, and bridging cultural differences can lead to societal progress. Through her own experiences, she hopes to pave a new path for leadership and participation for Taiwanese and Asian Americans.
Taiwan is an important fully democratic country in Asia, showing outstanding achievements in culture, economy, and public health despite limited resources. Many scholars argue that Taiwan’s experience is a model for developing countries, especially in economic independence and democratic development, providing valuable lessons globally.
Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan successfully controlled the outbreak and reduced mortality rates. If Taiwan could share its epidemic prevention experience through the World Health Organization (WHO) and international organizations, it would benefit the world. On the contrary, excluding Taiwan would harm global public health interests. Huang urges for Taiwan to be included in the United Nations and other international organizations, not only to respect its democratic achievements but also to contribute to global development and security.