Meet Senator Susan Pha, A Refugee’s Success Story
By Macy Yang
News
Hmong Women in Leadership is a series of articles highlighting inspirational and influential Hmong women in politics.
MINNESOTA—As a small business owner and real estate consultant, Senator Susan Pha (DFL), understands that small businesses are vital to the state’s economy. "There has been little investment,” said the senator, "to ensure that our Hmong small businesses and entrepreneurs have the resources and support that they need to succeed.”
This year funding and grant opportunities for small businesses were provided for new business owners, women businesses, and business owners of color through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, said Sen. Pha.
Representing Minnesota’s Senate District 38, Sen. Pha, is a refugee from Laos having arrived in the U.S. at the age of three. Pha lived most of her childhood life in Fresno, Calif. In 1995, she moved to Minnesota with her husband, Nicolas, and together they have five children and one grandson.
The daughter of refugee parents, she takes inspiration from her mother. "She always was so incredibly strong,” the senator said, adding that her mother "did everything she could to raise, to feed, to clothe, and to house us with the limited resources we had available.” Lessons learned from her mother have taught the senator "to treat people the way you would want to be treated and the value of giving to your community.” From these lessons, Pha was inspired to be the best that she could be.
In 2016, Pha became the first person of color to serve on the Brooklyn Park City Council. She went on to serve two terms with the council and also served as Mayor Pro Tem before winning another historic race for the state’s senate seat.
In 2022, Sen. Pha, became the first woman of color to represent Senate District 38 which includes Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, and nearby suburbs.
In her first term in office, Sen. Pha was greatly challenged by "learning the inside politics of the Senate and the Capitol,” she explained to Hmong Daily News.
"Despite the challenge, it was amazing to be part of creating policies, working with others, and seeing it all come together.”
Sen. Pha is currently the vice chair of the Capital Investment Committee and serves on the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee.
Among her career accomplishments, the senator states "I am proud of my great advocacy for and with our historically underrepresented communities of color. Together we were able to secure historic investments to ensure transformative opportunities for the people who need it most.”
Sen. Pha experienced firsthand racism during her run for the Brooklyn Park City Council in 2016. During her door-knocking campaign, residents questioned her allegiances and background, as reported by the Star Tribune.
"I’ve had people say I don’t belong here in Brooklyn Park,” Pha is quoted as saying in 2016. "I may be Hmong, but I represent everyone in my district.”
Sen. Pha said she will "fight for racial and social equity and justice.” Adding that "I continue to fight for systemic change to create policies that ensure opportunities exist for each and every one of us to thrive.”
She is also the author of two children’s books: "Hmong Names” and "Success that Looks Like Me.”
The senator loves gardening but lacks a "green thumb” and enjoys the outdoors and camping during her free time.
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Macy Yang is a journalist with an interest in issues and stories that profoundly impact the Hmong community. Macy is a refugee from Laos and a member of the one-and-a-half generation. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and the outdoors.