|
Last Updated: May 6th, 2009 - 17:24:04 |
Betty Chinn, an extraordinary woman who has never worn a cap and gown of her own at a college graduation, will be the special guest speaker at College of the Redwoods’ commencement services on Saturday, May 16.
Chinn has made it her daily and life work for the past 20 years to personally feed the homeless in Eureka. Last year she was a recipient of one of California First Lady Maria Shriver’s five prestigious State of California Minerva awards. The awards annually honor California women for extraordinary contributions in many fields including the arts, health and services, community activism and education.
“I will tell the students about my past life and the value of getting an education,” Chinn said. “I’ve always dreamed of going to college and graduating myself, but I didn’t have the time. Speaking at CR’s graduation is one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Chinn’s past includes surviving on the streets of Chinese cities for four years after her parents were forced to abandon her. Her parents were persecuted for political reasons. She later emigrated to the United States.
Her husband, Leung, taught physics at Humboldt State University for 37 years. Now retired, he helps Betty prepare and deliver meals to homeless people in Eureka. They daily set up their food distribution in the parking lot of St. Vincent DePaul in Eureka. They also sometimes deliver meals to people living in various homeless encampments around Eureka.
The Chinns have two sons who have benefited from higher education. Stuart received his doctorate in law from Yale University. He is currently teaching law at the University of Texas. This fall he will begin a new job teaching law at the University of Oregon.
Lawrence received two bachelor degrees at the University of California at Davis, one in physics and the other in biochemistry. He is now a medical researcher in the field of stem-cell research.
CR’s main Eureka campus commencement services will take place in the CR gymnasium beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16.
###
© Copyright College of the Redwoods
Top of Page
