A Decatur resident has been named as one of the recipients selected for the prestigious Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program.
Han Pham, executive director of the Georgia-based nonprofit Her Term, was among 205 global “changemakers” chosen for the initiative — one of two selected from Georgia.
According to a press release, Pham was picked for the Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program because of her accomplishments in boosting civic engagement and impacting Georgia’s political landscape.
Under Pham’s leadership, Her Term has been able to increase female political participation, amplify women’s voices, along with creating an initiative to “increase skills and mindsets around resilience and wellness that has helped recruit and retain more women in office,” said a release.
As the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants who fled the Vietnam War, Pham said that she draws from her family’s history to empower women — particularly women of color and members of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community — to engage in the political process.
“Leadership isn’t about the spotlight; it’s about creating opportunities for others to shine. When we uplift women, we uplift entire communities, and that’s how real, lasting change happens,” said Pham.
“Being selected for the Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program is an incredible honor, and we need to strengthen our democracy through diverse representation.”
Beyond her work with Her Term, Pham serves as a renowned leader in the Atlanta community.
Pham founded the Decatur Lunar New Year Festival — which celebrates AAPI cultures — and launched Badass Asian Women, a group dedicated towards empowering AAPI women and building a supportive community overall.
As part of being selected for the Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program, Pham said that the initiative will provide her with the necessary tools to help “further her mission in Georgia.”
“Georgia’s story is still being written, and I’m proud to be part of shaping its next chapter through the Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program,” said Pham.
