Chang Lee was born in the summer of 1953 to Ge Yang and Chia Vue Lee, and she grew up in Xayaboury, Laos. Not long after marrying her late husband, Nor Soua Yang, Chang fled persecution and escaped first to Ban Nam Yao and later to the Ban Vinai refugee camp. There, she spent over half a decade creating Paj Ntaub as a way to earn a living and support her family.
Eventually, Chang resettled in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and children. She now lives with her son, where she enjoys gardening and visiting the Southeast Asian Healing Center.
Chang continues to create Paj Ntaub, which helps her pass the time and heal from the trauma of the Secret War. For Chang, a perfect day includes working in her garden and settling in at home with a Paj Ntaub project to embroider.