Author, activist, and lecturer Loung Ung was only 5 years old when the Khmer Rouge soldiers stormed into her native city of Phnom Penh.
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Loung Ung
Cambodian Genocide Survivor, Activist, and Best-Selling Author
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Author, activist, and lecturer Loung Ung was only 5 years old when the Khmer Rouge soldiers stormed into her native city of Phnom Penh. Four years later, in one of the bloodiest episodes of the 20th century, some two million Cambodians – out of a population of seven million – had died at the hands of the infamous Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regi me. Among the victims were both Loung’s parents, two sisters, and 20 other relatives.
In 1980, Loung and her older brother Meng escaped to the United States. Since 1995, Loung has made over thirty trips back to Cambodia and has devoted herself to helping her native land heal from the traumas of war. She has worked as an activist to end violence against women, child soldiers, and the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, and served as the s pokesperson for the campaign from 1997-2005. In 2013, Loung expanded her activism reach as one of the writers of ‘Girl Rising’, a groundbreaking film directed by Academy Award nominee Richard Robbins which tells the stories of 9 extraordinary girls from 9 countries and their stories of forced marriage, domesticsla very, sex trafficking, and gender violence and the power of education to change their worlds. Each girl’s story was written by a renowned writer from her native country, and then narrated by celebrated actresses including Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys, Meryl Streep, and Kerry Washington.
Loung’s books have allowed her to share her message about the costs of war and the need for reconciliation with a wider audience. Her national ly bestselling memoir, First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers, ( HarperCollins 2000 ) was the recipient of the 2001 Asian/Pacific American Librarians’ Association award for “Excellence in Adult Non-fiction Literature”, and has been selec ted for many school and university reading programs in the U.S. and internationally. It has been published in 14 countries and translated into German, Dutch, Norwegian, Danish, French, Spanish, Italian, Cambodian, and Japanese. Loung’s other works includ e Lucky Child, and Lulu in the Sky, both of which are also taught in schools and universities.
In recognition of her work, The World Economic Forum selected Loung as one of the “100 Global Youth Leaders of Tomorrow.” She has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, London Sunday Times, Glamour, and more. Loung has also appeared on numerous televisions and radio shows, including CNN, the Diane Rheme Show, Talk of the Nation, Weekend Edition, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and The Today Show.
In addition, she has been the subject of an hour – long documentary for the German ARTE, Japanese NHK, and U.S. NECN, and has spoken widely at num erous forums , including Stanford University, Singapore American, Taipei American School, Mexico 1 Million Youth Summit , UN Conferences on Women in Beijing, UN Conference Against Racism and Discriminations in Durban, South Africa, and Child Soldiers Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal
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Testimonials
Loung mesmerized the crowd again this year, as she does every time she returns to Saint Michael’s. Her presence, her voice, her intelligence, and her stories gave us shivers of pride and love. We are already talking about when to have her back, and can’t wait for her next book. She is our shining star.
Throughout her visit to Hawken School, Loung Ung’s presence riveted our students. Speaking before our entire school community, she had the undivided attention of the room throughout her remarks on justice, compassion, strength and making the world a stronger place. In small groups and classroom visits, she brought that same intensity to each conversation, earning the respect and admiration of all she encountered. Truly one of the most memorable author visits we’ve ever had.
Loung Ung’s visit at Fisher College was inspiring. Her words were eloquent and powerful to the campus community who heard her story as a young child in Cambodia as well as her struggles and triumphs in her efforts to come to America. The concept of the “American Dream” was put into perspective and made a powerful statement to our students. Individuals who were unaware of the genocide in Cambodia have learned through the eyes of a young child and a woman who has made a commitment to speak on behalf of those who have passed. After Loung Ung’s visit, there was such buzz around campus and those were able to spread the word about Cambodia.
Our visit with Loung Ung was outstanding. Ms. Ung was personable, engaging, and thoughtful and her interactions with my students was tremendously touching and authentic. The evening presentation brought in a full house (on a weeknight!) and the audience hung on her every word – you could have heard a pin drop. I would strongly recommend a visit by Ms. Ung – the impact she had on us as a school and as individuals was deep and moving.
Loung’s voice is powerful! She was able to remind us of our common humanity while appreciating cultural differences that make us unique. She focused on the role of biography in shaping who and what we are – but not allowing it to limit our vision of ourselves or each other. Her message inspired our clinicians to better understand the perspective of those whom we serve.
Loung Ung was animated, humorous, and poignant in her lecture. She invited the audience into her past, without asking for sympathy. The Southeast Asian Alliance (at Smith College) was very pleased with the audience interest before and after the event, receiving positive feedback and questions about activism and genocide prevention. We greatly enjoyed her presence, and encourage all academics to hear Loung’s story.
Loung was not only an outstanding speaker but also extremely skilled in shaping her passion and commitment to the theme of Seattle Human Rights Day. The audience was riveted to their seats during her presentation and there were few dry eyes in the house. We are still receiving heartfelt thanks and comments from both the Khmer community and the general public. On behalf of us here at the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, thank you for helping to make this event one of our best ever.
The ‘All Johnson County Reads the Same Book’ planning committee selected Loung Ung’s First They Killed My Father for its community read. It was an outstanding decision… The project culminated in a University of Iowa lecture in which Loung received a standing ovation from an audience of over 500 who were captured by the substance of the subject matter and her passion for social justice.
Topics
Topics
A Conversation With Loung Ung
Videos
Videos
Girl Rising: CNN clip with Sokha and Loung
Cambodian Genocide Survivor
Books
After They Killed Our Father: A Refugee from the Killing Fields Reunites with the Sister She Left Be
News
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