Born in Laos, Lou Vang’s life was shaped by loss and resilience from the very beginning—her mother passed away when she was just 8 months old. Raised by her father, Cia Kue Vang, she grew up during a time of conflict and uncertainty. At 18, she fled to Thailand to escape persecution, carrying only a few belongings—and even a chicken—as she made the dangerous journey.
Lou later met and married her husband, and together they built a family. Her talent in paj ntaub, traditional Hmong embroidery, became both an art and a way to support her children. She created stunning story cloths and cross-stitch pieces, including state-themed textiles, which she sold to Americans.
On March 3, 2005, she arrived in the U.S. with her 10 children as part of the last wave of Hmong refugees. They settled in Madison, Wisconsin, where she continued her craft and began a new life.
Today, Lou still gardens and creates paj ntaub, though not as much as she once did. Her embroidery brings her peace, helping her cope with life’s hardships. Through every stitch and every seed she plants, she continues to carry forward the strength, beauty, and spirit of her culture.