Values
Reflecting on her life, Betty notes three significant experiences that have helped to shape her values and political outlook. First, she believes her K–12 educational experience in the San Francisco public schools provided the basic foundation for her success. Not speaking a word of English prior to enrolling in school and learning to count using an abacus, Betty recalls the high quality of English and mathematics teachers whom she credits for the development of her reading, writing, public speaking, and analytical skills. She continues to be a strong proponent of public education.
Second, Betty and her siblings lost their father after a five-year fight against renal disease and a stroke. Ging was only 63 years old when he passed away and had no health insurance when he became ill. The family was left with significant medical bills for costs not covered by share-of-cost Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Social Security disability benefits. Unable to afford health insurance for himself and his family, Betty recalls as a child that her father and mother would take their children to a Chinese physician in Chinatown for regular check-ups, and her parents would pay cash for these services. Betty is a vocal advocate for public funding of health care coverage for poor and low-income working families.
Third, Betty recalls her experiences as a child of immigrant parents struggling to make a better life for their children. Her parents established their business in a predominantly white neighborhood of San Francisco. They did not speak English, yet were able to operate a business for 30 years and earn the respect, support, and business of hundreds of customers over that time. Betty recalls the customers’ interest in the academic success of her and her siblings and their recognition of her parents working hard to provide a better life for their children. Betty believes in equal opportunity for all communities, especially in the areas of education and access to health care, both key factors to economic success.
Betty has continued her advocacy for public education, universal health care, and equal opportunity for all during her tenure on the State Board of Equalization (BOE). She is an active member of the California Democratic Party, working hard to represent the v oices and values of hard-working Californians and their families and to ensure voter participation by all who are eligible to vote. She remains committed to mentoring and supporting women, youth, and those in our emerging ethnic communities who desire to seek public service careers or elective office.
