As Executive Director of Her Term for the past three years, Han Pham speaks on the vital importance of female lawmakers with highly educated passion and verve. This commitment to community building doesn’t stop at her day job. From founding Bad*ss Asian Women to spearheading the Decatur Lunar New Year Festival, Pham’s dedication is on hyperdrive. She models authenticity and resilience while juggling all her endeavors and a full home life that includes a husband, two kids, chickens, goats, bunnies, and even peacocks! Her political impact has rippled to such an impressive degree that she was chosen for The Obama Foundation Leaders USA program. This six-month fellowship program comprises a handpicked cohort of changemakers dedicated to civic engagement. With a worldview geared towards values-driven action and intentional connections, she works to increase the number of women (especially women of color) in representative positions across Georgia by helping them perceive and claim their power.
Pham started her path of political advocacy to help others understand how policy affects their everyday lives. After leaving her corporate job and taking a yearlong maternity leave, she was revitalized to contribute to society in a bigger way, to make the world a better place for her children. As Pham says, her mission is “to help women and girls writ large find our power and help groups of people see within themselves the power they have.” With her candidates, Pham taps into their authenticity. The demands and viciousness of politics can lead to many women dropping out after serving only one term. Expectations placed on women, to be caregivers and leaders all while maintaining a ladylike facade, tear down on a person’s true self. For women of color, there’s the added layer of bias that happen every single day, constantly. Resilience is necessary to break through, not break down. Pham implemented free therapy for her candidates, which wrapped up its third year in action, to help them develop tenacity and garner strength from a supportive community. Much of politics is filled with pandering, and she has found massive value in personal stories. By sharing the candidates' true selves, the ability to connect with one’s potential constituents is increased tenfold.
Pham’s commitment to community building with true authenticity helped her land The Obama Foundation Leaders USA program. Coming together within this cohort has challenged her view of the world; The Obama Foundation is nonpartisan and by learning about democracy writ large, she has developed the courage to break out of her silos and have the uncomfortable conversations she used to avoid. This newfound appreciation for pluralism has worked its way into her vision for the future of Decatur, as well. Our community consists of highly educated and passionate citizens and people who have been left behind or forgotten. We must bring all these people into the conversation to break down barriers. Pham suggests a “citizen’s forum”. Newly adopted in Paris, these citizen assemblies take place over a two-to-three-year period, wherein constituents are chosen to represent different areas of the city for one to two months while sitting in government. This allows leadership to hear from the voices affected by their policies, while citizens learn how the political process works behind the scenes. The rotation brings in new voices all the time and could help preserve what makes Decatur great: our diversity and compassion.
One of Pham’s largest contributions to our city is the Decatur Lunar New Year Festival - February 2nd will mark its fourth iteration. While her children attended Talley Elementary, the PTO President asked Pham how the holiday could be best spotlighted and celebrated. This opened up an educational moment for all involved, and that spirit of cross-cultural appreciation continues to thrive. With Pham at the helm, alongside the collective she brought together through a secret Facebook group, Bad*ss Asian Women, the festival came to be. It has exploded in popularity, and they moved locations to include all City of Decatur schools in the vision. The Lunar New Year is a sacred and important holiday in many Asian cultures (and is one of Pham’s all-time favorites) and there’s a nuanced history for everyone to learn. Explore how the holiday is celebrated within each specific culture via their passport system; adults and kids alike can get their passports properly stamped after learning and doing a craft at each station. This modern festival brings different cultures together - and it isn’t just for Asians, it is for everyone else, too!
Han Pham helps individuals and communities find their “special sauce” - the unique tasks that cultivate joy while serving a greater purpose. She models the importance of amplifying one’s skill set, placing more women in power, and taking time for wellness. Energizing, empowering, and an example of true community contribution, our city is better off for her empathy-led and strategic leadership.