The Jinshan Bay Area Mother’s Workshop is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and on November 23rd, a special event titled “Shining Thirty: Reflection and Outlook” will be held at the Jinshan Bay Area Overseas Chinese Education Center. The workshop’s leader, Gao Yuli, along with the Center’s Director, Zhuang Yashu, warmly invites members of the community to participate.
Reflecting on three decades of growth, Gao noted that during the 1990s, the Silicon Valley tech boom brought many new immigrants from Taiwan, including a significant number of women who moved to accompany their husbands and children. These women faced the challenges of adapting to a new environment, often feeling like uprooted trees struggling to thrive in unfamiliar soil.
Gao shared that she and her peers encountered numerous challenges and frustrations in their daily lives. This inspired her to collaborate with other community-minded individuals to establish the Jinshan Bay Area Mother’s Workshop, creating a platform for new immigrant women to grow together and support their families. She emphasized the importance of encouraging women to engage with their communities, highlighting that behind every successful man, there is a mother who nurtures and sustains the family.
Over the past three decades, the workshop has grown to include 2,000 members and hosts at least 20 events per year, totaling over 600 activities. One of the most popular initiatives was the “Culinary Tour” led by Gao when she served as a commissioner for overseas affairs, which has garnered an excellent reputation. Just this past May, the workshop teamed up with the World Journal and the Jinshan Bay Area Overseas Chinese Education Center for a “Mother’s Day Culinary Competition,” creating new opportunities for collaboration.
Zhuang Yashu expressed gratitude for the workshop’s contributions over the years, noting its role in enriching the lives of many in the Bay Area.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gao reported that the workshop adapted by shifting to online classes via Zoom, providing a vital outlet for women facing isolation at home.
The upcoming anniversary event will feature six informative sessions, including a talk by Ambassador Li Shiming’s wife and Vice President of TD SYNNEX, Su Xinyuan, on “Cynthia’s 543.” Other speakers include Zhang Qiwai, leader of Intant Teksolution and U.S. agent for Taiwanese biotech firm Ameliorage, who will discuss “Aging No More: A Dream Realized,” and Professor Hu Meiying from International Medical University and Bai Shui University, who will present “An Intimate Encounter with Essential Oils.”
Participants will also hear from Rommie, the U.S. agent for Duan Chun Zhen Beef Noodles, and Chef Andy, who will demonstrate the essence of their famous pork fried rice. Additional talks will cover topics like backyard garden management and tips for being a poised and beautiful woman at all times.
Attendees will receive a stylish phone pouch, delicious snack boxes, and various vouchers for products and services donated by several local businesses. Tickets for the event are priced at $30, which includes gifts and entry into a raffle. For more details, interested individuals can visit the Jinshan Bay Area Mother’s Workshop Facebook page or contact them directly.
