Born to illiterate working-class parents in China’s western Sichuan province just before Mao’s Cultural Revolution, Lily Tang Williams grew up experiencing extremely poor living conditions, food rationing, social chaos, and Communist indoctrination.

In spite of these hardships, she learned to work hard, persevere, and was grateful for the opportunities she was given. In 1988, Lily Tang Williams decided to attend university in the U.S., leaving her faculty position with only $100 in her pocket and $1200 in debt to her American sponsor, a Fulbright professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Although she could not speak English fluently, she was determined to achieve success in this country, earning a Master’s degree in Administration and Planning from the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin.

She began traveling the country as a professional speaker, sharing her story about the horrors of Socialism and Communism, inspiring people to value their American heritage and their freedoms and opportunities.  This educational presentation for students and adults includes a slide presentation with photographs from Ms. Williams' years in China, as well as items from her Chinese heritage, including fortune cookies! There will also be time afterward for questions.

Registration not required, but helpful.