It was a groundbreaking event this past Sunday at the MIT Samberg Conference Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The “EmpowHer Summit: Asian Women at the Forefront” marked the first occasion in MIT’s history to focus solely on how Asian women are shaping the future.
Presented by MIT and The Association for the Protection of Asian Women in America (PAWA), the event’s keynote speakers included Dr. Miao, president of PAWA; Prof. Agustin Rayo, Dean of MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences(SHASS); and Ms.Yu Yu, the Matsutaro Shoriki Chair, Art of Asia at The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Professor Rayo is a distinguished scholar in Philosophy, specializing in logic, metaphysics, and language, and is known for a concept named after him, “Rayo’s number.”
During his keynote, which drew from his research in AI technology and how it’ll affect regulations, Professor Rayo said that Asian women will play a crucial role in addressing future global challenges. In fact, Professor Rayo said their contributions will be indispensable for world progress.
Ms. Yu, born and raised in China, graduated from Wellesley College before obtaining her master’s degree from Boston University and a Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. Her doctoral dissertation focused on paintings from China’s Yuan dynasty.
During her address at the summit, Ms. Yu shared her personal journey as an Asian woman, touching on themes of work-life balance and empowerment. Her story underscored the importance of self-empowerment and uplifting those around us.
During a fireside chat, Dr. Miao’s experience as a spiritual growth mentor, author, educator, philanthropist, and composer offered guidance to help Asian women to overcome cultural obstacles and embrace abundance in their lives.
Dr. Miao emphasized her research that highlights the profound impact of maternal mitochondrial DNA inheritance on individuals’ characteristics and energy levels. She also spoke about the crucial role of mothers’ emotional management in shaping the emotional well-being of their children. Recognizing the constraints faced by women in Asian cultures, Dr. Miao stressed the importance of empowering women within families and society at large.
Dr. Miao also advocated for Asian women to embark on a journey of self-healing, mindset transformation, and embracing life to the fullest—an ethos that aligns with the mission of The Association for the Protection of Asian Women in America (PAWA).
Through free training, financial support, and fundraising events, PAWA promotes self-protection awareness among Asian American women and raises social consciousness regarding the protection of Asian American rights.
During the panel discussion, Ms. Grace Shi, spokesperson for the International Institute of Well-Being (IIWB), Ms. Eva Ye, an Asian women entrepreneur in the real estate industry, and Ms. Haflin Nazri Aziz, spouse of the Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States, shared their insights on how one’s family of origin influences women’s brain development and cognitive patterns.
Ms. Shi emphasized the importance for Asian women to transcend familiar obstacles and to instead focus on transforming their current situations by shifting their mindsets. She believes that with a change in mindset, individuals can break free from cultural constraints and embrace a new cognitive perspective, ultimately leading to a fulfilling life.
Ms. Haflin Nazri Aziz shared her personal journey of growing up and the evolution of her parenting philosophy. She spoke of her efforts to prevent her own negative experiences from influencing her son. Her message resonated with the audience, and underscored the importance of healing past familial wounds for personal growth.
Ms. Eva Ye discussed how she’s been able to achieve personal fulfillment while also fulfilling societal duties. Despite being raised by traditional parents who imposed limitations, Ms. Ye achieved remarkable success in the real estate industry, which informs her advocacy for self-empowerment and the empowerment of others.
Recognizing the impact of parental imprinting on her own children, Ms. Ye emphasized the importance of making positive decisions, pursuing individual dreams, and striving for a bright future. She concluded by emphasizing that investing in mindset transformation is the most valuable investment one can make.
Finally, Ms. Sofronie Dun was honored with the EmpowHer Award for her achievements in art and filmmaking. Dr. Miao, who presented the award, expressed her anticipation for more young women leaders to emerge and make their contributions known to the world.
The EmpowHer Summit was attended by teachers and students from MIT, members of The Association for the Protection of Asian Women in America, as well as entrepreneurs from various industries.
For its part, PAWA is committed to organizing more events and will continue to provide assistance and services to the Asian American women community. The world depends on it.
To connect with the organization directly, click here.
