"Representation is an obligation, not a privilege."
-Yen S. Chou, May 1999.
In 1999, Yen Shia Chou ran for the Community School Board of District 26. It was her first foray into the world of political service. After a landslide victory, Yen took the opportunity to bring tangible change to the quality of local education. She continued to serve until the school boards were abolished in 2004.
Yen Chou was born the second eldest of four children, in Taiwan. It was there she met her husband Bo-Hsiang Chen while attending Fu-Jen University where she earned a Bachelor's in Statistics. Yen was 20 when she and her husband moved here to the United States. She studied at St. John's University, earning Master's Degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. She now has two children, the older a graduate of NYU Stern and the younger an undergraduate at Columbia University.
Currently she lives on Prince Street, near the heart of Flushing's Main Street. She is known and respected as a compassionate businesswoman and a strong supporter of children's education.
Yen began her lifetime commitment to education as a teacher at Mary Louis Academy, teaching young women mathematics and computer science. Afterwards she moved on to Queensborough Community College where she taught Business Mathematics and Statistics. In 1999 she was elected to serve as a school board member where she dealt with many local educational concerns. After the school boards were abolished, she was appointed to serve on the Queens Community Education Council. To this day she continues to prioritize education as the foundation for solving many of society's economic and social dilemmas.
Yen is the founder of a focused and thriving educational institute known as Aim Academy. Managing the small business has exposed her to countless challenges in getting the academy off the ground. For many years they moved from building to building because of landlords who insisted on draconian increases in lease rates. At one point, they were even forced to locate to a public school. Last year, they were able to secure a 10 year lease at the present location at 36-21 Prince Street near central Flushing, where they will stay and continue to raise and educate the next generation of leaders.
Yen showed commitment to public service as a school board member, but has not rested on her laurels. In 2001 she launched a non-profit organization called the Chinese American Parent-Student Council (CAPSC), a vehicle to push forward community driven initiatives. She has used CAPSC to help organize bilingual classes for immigrants, inform parents about education trends and changes in the Flushing area, and build political activism in community youths on the local and national level. Yen also worked as Councilman David Weprin's Special Liaison, working inside of City Hall. She gained experience and savvy while addressing many Queens-wide issues from housing and immigration to welfare.
Now Yen is running as the People's Candidate of District 20. Yen has led all local candidates with over $200,000 in funds raised and over 6,000 signatures during the petition process from her supporters in District 20. She managed this even without the help of special interests such as the Working Families Party or the Queens County Democratic Organization. If elected, Yen will become New York City's first Asian-American Councilwoman, and not a lackey of any organization other than the people of District 20.
So on September 15th, and November 3rd, don't forget to come out and vote for Yen. And remember, if United we Stand, then Together we Can.