Minnesota Sounds and Voices: For Hmong American women, flag football breaks barriers

Programs | All Things Considered | MPR News Feature | Special Collections | Immigration & Diversity | Hmong life in Minnesota | Types | Reports | Interviews | Grants | Legacy Amendment Digitization (2016-2017) | Topics | Sports | Minnesota Sounds and Voices | Legacy Project Work (2022-2023) |
June 28, 2013
Dan Olson - Reporter, Tom Crann - Host, Ma Lee Vang - Interviewee, Kelly Yang - Interviewee, Hli Xyooj - Interviewee, Christine Yang - Interviewee, April Lee - Interviewee
Listen: Hmong American women find their place - on the field
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On this episode of Minnesota Sounds and Voices, MPR’s Dan Olson profiles several women's Hmong American flag football teams as they prepare to compete at this year's Hmong Freedom Celebration. Playing the game was a formidable cultural hurdle the young Hmong American women had to overcome, as families place a high value on women as wives rather than competitors.

The first women's flag football teams were organized in the Twin Cities nearly a decade ago to help raise funds for various causes. Popularity and team numbers grew. In 2006, the women won approval to compete in the Hmong Freedom Celebration from the organizers, the St. Paul-based Lao Family Community.

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In 2008, Minnesota's voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution: to protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.

Efforts to digitize this initial assortment of thousands of historical audio material was made possible through the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. A wide range of Minnesota subject matter is represented within this collection.

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