Living Our Dreams Awards
Hmong Woman of the Year & Live Your Best Life Awards
Each year, we honor two extraordinary women with our Woman of the Year Award and Live Your Dreams Award—recognizing individuals whose leadership, resilience, and dedication inspire others.
We believe every woman has the power to dream boldly and achieve her goals. Our award recipients embody what it means to live their dreams while creating opportunities for others to do the same. Their stories remind us that when women are empowered, entire communities thrive.
Join us at the 2026 Live Your Dreams Annual Gala as we celebrate this year's remarkable honorees and the impact they continue to make.
2026 Live Your Best Life Grant
Living Your Best Life means having a vision of what the most authentic and best version of your life looks like and taking steps towards achieving that vision.
HWAT's mission to support Hmong women living towards their best life helps create change that improves the lives of Hmong women. It is through the generous donations of Ilean Her’s family and the community that this grant is possible.
About the Ilean Kao Ly Her “Live Your Best Life” Grant
The Live Your Best Life Grant honors the memory of Ilean Kao Ly Her, a beloved leader and advocate in the Hmong community who passed away in 2021. Ilean served as a board member of Hnub Tshiab for many years and was actively involved in programs such as the Hmong Girls Leadership Institute and the Girls Enterprise Zone. In 2017, she launched the Live Your Best Life mini-grants to support Hmong women in pursuing personal goals and dreams.
After her passing, Ilean’s family, friends, and community members came together to establish the Ilean Her Endowment, housed at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Each year, the endowment provides a $1,000 grant to a Hmong woman who demonstrates both a meaningful personal goal and financial need to pursue it.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Identify as a Hmong woman
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Be between the ages of 18 and 29
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Reside in Minnesota
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Be actively working toward a personal dream, goal, or life-enhancing endeavor
Deadline: Registration closes on Friday, Sept. 11th.
Past Award Recipients
2025 Hmong Woman of the Year Awardee
Mai Vang Huizel is the Founder and Executive Director of the Hmong Museum, bringing over a decade of experience in the museum field. Her expertise spans various roles, from registrar to curator and collections manager. Mai has worked for local museums such as the Minnesota Historical Society. Mai is a firm believer in the potential and possibilities within individuals, advocating for everyone to have the opportunity to share their stories in their own authentic voices.
2025 Live Your Best Life Awardee
Ariel Cua Her is a second-generation Hmong American woman, HR professional, entrepreneur, and storyteller who loves sharing stories that inspire and uplift. She is the creator and host of Hmong Womxn Thriving, a podcast that highlights the voices, journeys, and achievements of Hmong women from all walks of life. Through heartfelt conversations, Ariel creates a space for connection, celebration, and encouragement, helping listeners embrace their own growth and resilience. Her goal is to share stories that honor Hmong womxn while inspiring others to thrive in their own unique ways.
