Toumkham Somphanh in her store

Tomkham grew up in Laos. In 1959, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to study education at Peabody University in Tennessee. While she was studying, she met her husband who was also from Laos. He was studying International Relations at a university in Washington D.C., After they got married, her husband worked for the Lao government as a diplomat. During the 1960s, his job required that the family live in New York and Moscow during the1960s.

In 1975, while they were living in New York, the Lao government was taken over by a communist party. Her husband lost the job and the family lost the country. They felt it was unsafe to return to Laos and filed for political asylum in the United States.

During the long and difficult process of immigration they both worked in many jobs, but Tomkham and her husband kept their hope through the hardship. They were fortunate that they had savings from the years of working as a diplomat. They used the money to buy a laundromat. The family worked hard, putting in long hours and built trust and a reputation with their customers. Their success allowed them to sell the laundromat and purchase a quick printing business, a much safer business to operate. Today, she and her husband are proud owners of Kingdom Printing.

Quotes from Toumkham Somphanh:

In my philosophy, wherever you are, you try to adjust yourself to the situation. Then you can make a living. Don't let the situation adjust you. You adjust to the situation. Try to work hard. Working hard - that's the best solution, I think.

We've been very lucky here because people have always been willing to help us to get through.

I think that I am happier to be able to work than then not to work. I feel healthier when I work. I remember when I was in New York just taking care of the children, I [was] okay, but I wasn't as happy as I am now an [I am] healthier [now]. When I worked in the laundromat, I was faced with many customers, all classes, from the bottom to the top. . . . I can deal with everyone of them.  I've been happier that I can work.  I think I have more open eyes.  I heard more.

What can you do?  They [my children] grow up in this society.  I tell them what is right, what is wrong.  That's all you can do right now.  But I been very thankful none of them got into drugs and things like that. No matter what, I want my children to do only what they can.  I don't want them to be doctor or lawyer, no. Just do what you can.

Toumkham Somphanh at work

Toumkham Somphanh with her husband in their home

Toumkham Somphanh with her husband

Toumkham Somphanh with her family