Change-maker, Storyteller, Adventurer
Helen Zia, a writer, journalist and Fulbright Scholar who has been outspoken on issues ranging from human rights to countering gender and hate violence and homophobia, had to get married three times to the same woman during the years-long struggle for marriage equality. As one of the few women and Asian Americans at Princeton in the early 70s, she was especially active among the “Third World” students of color, but was closeted to herself. When she began “questioning,” she experienced a “lesbian trial.” Years later, she came out at a national conference and on C-SPAN. In 2010, she testified as a witness in the federal case for marriage equality decided by the Supreme Court. Zia, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, quit medical school to work as a construction laborer, autoworker and organizer until she discovered her life’s work as a writer. She is an award-winning journalist and author. Her latest book, “Last Boat out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese who Fled Mao’s Revolution,” was an NPR best book and was shortlisted for a national PEN America award. Her first book, “Asian American Dreams,” includes the pivotal role of Asian Americans in the fight for marriage equality. Her work to build solidarity against hate is documented in the Oscar-nominated film “Who Killed Vincent Chin?” as well as coverage by “Amanpour and Company,” Lisa Ling’s “This is Life,” Soledad O’Brien and other media.