Arrived in America: 1975
Experiences:
Location: United States
A Brief Biography
Mrs. Madalena Lai was born in 1943, She came to the US in 1975. She was the President of the Vietnamese Cultural House in Pomona, founded in 1995.
Mrs. Lai brought the iconic boat of Vietnamese Boat People from the Philippines and exhibited in 50 states.
In 2002, Mrs. Lai, anticipated in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, the theme of the float was “Thank You America and The World” The float was built in the shape of a boat to symbolize the journey of Vietnamese immigrants and features a large mystical bird at the prow.
In 2018, she published the book “Tears of Freedom Boat” recounting the journey to bring the “Liberty Boat” to the exhibition in 15 years.
She passed away in 2021.
Photos
”"The more I see of this country the more I feel I have to say thank you. This is the country of freedom and human rights."
Madalenna Lai
