Cambodian Community Leader Named Among LA’s ‘Women of the Year’

Pol-Lim has run the UCC for the past six years, and under her leadership the group has gained prominence in the community

26 January 2013
Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer

WASHINGTON DC- Los Angeles county has named a prominent Cambodian-American community activist one of its “Women of the Year.”

Sara Pol-Lim, who heads the United Cambodian Community, in Long Beach, Calif., will be awarded alongside four other women for her work organizing the community and providing services for Cambodian-Americans.

The annual award is granted by Los Angeles county for women who “bring about social and economic change” in the country.

Pol-Lim has run the UCC for the past six years, and under her leadership the group has gained prominence in the community.

Most recently, it helped Cambodian immigrants become naturalized, aiding them in voter registration and voting in the November election.

The award “means we’ve joined in American society, and it makes our community heard,” Pol-Lim told VOA Khmer in an interview.

The UCC is also a voice for the Cambodian-American community in Long Beach, she said. “We take this opportunity in leading the community to voice our concerns,” she said. “It’s not only women, men, children, adults and seniors, but all kind of issues that get support from the US government.”

The Cambodian-American voice is increasingly being heard by politicians, she said, a trend they hope to continue.

“We have more work to do, like mental problems, education, and motivating the young generation to have strong leadership in the US,” she said.

She appealed to the younger generation, and especially women, to get involved in the community.

Pol-Lim is the first woman to head the UCC, which formed in 1978. She will be officially awarded at the annual Women of the Year luncheon, held by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, on March 11.