Usa Lerdsrisuntad

Thailand

Usa Lerdsrisuntad

Thailand

I was born in Bangkok into a middle-class family, and my ancestors came from China. I am a third-generation Thai.

I am the only daughter among four siblings. In my childhood, I was quiet and obedient. I am what I am today because of the influence of my parents. They ran a small shop selling mechanic equipment, electronics and paint. My parents welcomed and treated our customers the same no matter their careers or how many products they bought. This is how learned to believe in equality. In school, I learned to pray and to be a good Buddhist. Prayer has given me inner peace, although it is hard to understand the ancient language.

I studied economics at Thammasat University. This was one of the first turning points in my life as my world of social activism began. I studied not for prosperity in life, but rather to love people more deeply and contribute to society. Along with a friend, we attended different activities which widened my perspective on social problems. I went to rural communities where we contributed our labor and together, we built a pavilion and reconstructed a school for the village. Anyhow, I felt that I gained much more than I contributed. Later, I became a member of a women's group at university that focused my awareness on women's issues.

Upon graduation, I hoped to work for a social organization but did not succeed. So, I worked for a financial company for one year and then I had the second turning point in my life. In July 1989, I joined the Foundation for Women which I met at university. My wish to work for society came true and I began to learn more about women's issues. I worked on many projects and served as the Foundation's Director. The first project I work for was the Home for Battered Women where I learned about domestic violence. Later, I worked for the Campaign Against Trafficking in Women and Children. I worked with Thai women who were trafficked, rescued and returned after they were sexually and labor-exploited in other countries. There were always new issues to learn. I worked on other projects, including: protecting foreign, migrant women and children, assisting women in Tsunami-affected areas in the South, and worked with Muslim women and children in the Deep Southern Provinces. Apart from learning to provide direct assistance, I provided psycho-social support to the affected women and empowered them to regain their dignity. The Foundation for Women gave me opportunities, even to learn about conflict resolution and peace building whereby I applied Buddhist teachings in work and life.

Right now, I am the Executive Director of the Association for The Promotion of The Status of Women which runs an Emergency Home for Women and Children. This is a new chapter of my life. We advocate for increasing resources from the government to support these vulnerable women. At the same time, we reach out to various sectors of society in order for them to understand that supporting these women is very crucial for the whole society.