Since the conception of the project, the project directors intended to create a traveling exhibition for display at museums, libraries, community centers and schools. Such an exhibition would allow students and community members to understand the human impact of war, how cultures change and adapt in new environments and the role of women in preserving culture. Local programming in conjunction with display of the exhibition will provide a mechanism for engagement between the Southeast Asian community and the broader American public.

The exhibition has yet to be realized because of lack of funds and changing life circumstances of the project directors. Although the documentation was conducted more than 10 years ago, the material is still pertinent, the stories still compelling. The project directors are determined to raise funds to create this important exhibition about Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant life, preservation of cultural traditions, and changing roles of women.

Exhibition Outline

1. Introduction (2 panels)

• Discuss ethnic and gender identities/multiple roles; point out that the women are role models; mention gender tension is bigger than race tensions; point out that these women are successful because they have the ability to balance their two cultures and know how to negotiate between the different cultural expectations
• Immigration—explain why they came, when they came, who makes up these communities, where these refugees and immigrants resettled and why in those locations; make reference to patterns in U.S. immigration history
• Buddhism and religion, includes Lao, Thai, and Cambodian New Year’s celebrations, Thai Loy Krathong Festival, Vietnamese Tet Festival and Vía Ba ceremony (this part may be addressed in community frames)
• 3 maps (Southeast Asia, U.S., DC/MD/VA)
  1-4 photographs

2. Cambodian Community (5-6 panels—intro and 4 women)

Intro: description of community (2-4 photos, SE Asia locator map)
4 Women: each panel holds 2 photographs, 1-3 quotes, and biography/story

3. Lao Community (5-6 panels—intro and 4 women)

Intro: description of community (2-4 photos, SE Asia locator map)
4 Women: each panel holds 2 photographs, 1-3 quotes, and biography/story

4. Thai Community (5-6 panels—intro and 4 women)

Intro: description of community (2-4 photos, SE Asia locator map)
4 Women: each panel holds 2 photographs, 1-3 quotes, and biography/story

5. Vietnamese Community (5-6 panels—intro and 4 women)

Intro: description of community (2-4 photos, SE Asia locator map)
4 Women: each panel holds 2 photographs, 1-3 quotes, and biography/story

6. Conclusion (1 panel)

Statement about role of women in preserving cultural traditions and paving path for life that balances two cultures.