"If you want to take charge, you must fight for it yourself," says Melinda Liu, Irvine's first Chinese-American female city councilmember. Her volunteer work and immigrant journey offer key lessons for new families.
Liu moved to the U.S. at 16, influenced by her father, a military judge. She studied law in college, passed the bar, and became a lawyer advocating for women and the disadvantaged.
"Running for office was never part of my plan," Liu said. Initially a volunteer mom, her work grew across ethnic groups, revealing the needs of many, especially immigrant families.
Through her passion for helping others, she expanded her social circle and built a strong foundation for her political career.
When Irvine redraw its district lines, friends urged Liu to run for city council, seeing it as a platform to help others. She announced her candidacy in February and, in less than nine months, won by over 109 votes, defeating four-time candidate John Park. Her victory shocked many.
Liu said that from the moment she announced her candidacy, she never considered the possibility of losing. This single-minded determination propelled her forward toward the finish line.
With help from campaign partners, she gathered voter data, planned 150 community visits, and personally canvassed thousands of households.
Supported by various groups, she gained access to gated communities and directly engaged voters with practical policies. Korean volunteers created a website, and she even won back votes from Filipino voters, which greatly motivated her.
After winning, many immigrants sought Liu's advice on "cultural adaptation" and "self-identity" for their children, issues she believes all immigrant families face.
She shared her experience of facing ethnic discrimination in high school and learning to stand up for her rights through hard work.
Liu advised parents to build strong relationships, listen instead of reprimanding, and help children develop confidence when facing bullying.
Liu urged parents to remain patient and avoid scolding when children are teased, emphasizing that challenges can be important learning experiences and help children realize their parents' love.
However, parents should also learn to seek external help when needed, as sometimes third-party assistance can resolve issues more effectively.
In the recent Irvine mayor and city council member elections, several Chinese-American candidates lost. Many attribute this to the general lack of civic participation among Chinese-Americans.
City Councilmember Melinda Liu believes that hosting more community events can help raise awareness of civic participation among Chinese-Americans. "In a democracy, if we don't care, no one else will care for us!"
If someone wants to enter the public service field,Liu advises starting with local service to build a network, connect with like-minded individuals, and gradually gain support for broader public service.
Since being elected as a city councilmember , Liu has had an average of 3-5 meetings per day, and her weekends and holidays are fully occupied with activities. As a result, she had to put her law practice on hold and live off her savings.
"I believe this is just a transitional period!" Liu said, stressing prioritization. She promised to address urgent issues like traffic safety and high living costs first.
For example, she and Councilmember William Go proposed expanding leading pedestrian intervals (LPI) at Irvine crosswalks, a plan that has gained unanimous support in the city council.
Liu is confident that, with continued voter support, other issues like housing will be addressed soon.
Melinda Liu - Bio:
Melinda Liu, Irvine City Councilmember, graduated from UC Berkeley and earned her JD from Southwestern Law School. She is a practicing attorney specializing in divorce mediation and estate planning.
A resident of Irvine for nearly 20 years, Liu has been active in public service, serving as President of the Irvine Chinese School PTA, a Girl Scouts leader, and a parent coordinator for the basketball team.
She successfully advocated for extending school leases, helping over 100 families with their children's education.
Liu's key issues include community safety, affordable housing, and transportation. She advocates for public transportation for seniors and youth and more affordable housing to help young people achieve homeownership in Irvine.