A Brief Story of Her Life’s Journey
Ms. Kaimay Yuen Terry is an engaged citizen in community affairs. Her life’s desire is to enable deeper understanding between US and China.
She is an initiator and driver for the University of Minnesota Arboretum Chinese Garden; a successful fundraiser for political candidates and other worthy causes; She is a board member of the University of MN Retiree Association, and University of MN China Center Advisory Council. Through the years, her extensive board engagement included Global Minnesota, (Chair, Year of China Gala) Mu Performing Arts, Chinese American Association of Minnesota, Chinese Dance Theater, Perpich Center for Arts Education, and the Walker Art Center.
In 1995 Kaimay successfully led a coalition of Asian organizations to have the MN orchestra performance of Hiroshima Program Note rewritten to reflect Japan’s. role as an aggressor in WWil in Asia. Kamay initiated and organized the Westminster Townhall Forum talk by Iris Chang, Author of the Rape of Nanking in 1998 and Justice for Wen Ho Lee Forum in. 2000. In 2024 Keya Jin, author of The New China Playbook. Beyond Socialism and Capitalism will address the Forum.
Kaimay is a frequent contributor to Commentary, Star Tribune, and Minn Post on the topic of U.S.-China affairs.
Kaimay was the founder of VideoMed Inc, a producer and nationwide distributor of multilingual patient education programs. She had decades of programmatic and administrative work to solve problems of society from issues of immigrant health care access and work and family balance to developmental and adjustment problems of youth via Tufts University, George Washington University, Cambridge Model Cities, and social service settings.
Kaimay was born and raised in Hong Kong. Came to America at age 18 to attend Oberlin College and completed graduate training at the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration (MA/MSW) and later Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (MPH). She became a US citizen in 1972. She is. bilingual and bicultural. She and her husband Joseph Terry MD, retired Professor, University of MN School of Medicine just celebrated their 49th anniversary. Their daughter Amanda is an entrepreneur, and they have Isabelle a lovely granddaughter.
Timeline
1995
50th WWII Commemoration at O’Shaughnessy – A community-wide collaborative effort. CAAM was a lead sponsor. Kaimay, Program co-chair, her first introduction to MN Chinese community
Initiated a prolonged public dialogue with MN Orchestra, urging a balanced depiction of Japan’s role as an aggressor in WWII in Asia in his printed program for its performance of Hiroshima Requiem.
Outcome: MN Orchestra titled its program notes: Release From Ignorance, describing Japan’s war crimes in China.
A community-wide participation of a Candlelight Vigil during the performance.CAAM was the lead supporting organization 1996 Dir. Of Hiroshima museum and Peace Foundation sought a meeting. It was held in Mpls City Hall, leaders from Chinese and other Asian countries represented.
1996-1997
Became a CAAM Board member.
First issue of News and Views CAAM. Spring 1997. A quarterly Editor-in Chief. J.C. Hsung Chinese Editor Last issue Fall, 2003
Initiated a community-wide signature drive to secure U.S. House Representatives-MN to be cosponsor of a House Resolution 126. HR126 called for the Japanese government to acknowledge and to accept responsibility for its war actions in Asia.
Outcome: 800+ signatures collected with many CAAM members as ”Captains”-Charles Lee, Yu-Ching Lo, Sing Fook Lo. Secured sponsorship from Rep. Peterson, Luther and Vento. Despite a nation-wide effort from the Chinese communities, we fell short of securing a majority in the House.
1998
Elected CAAM President-through 2000
Secured the Westminster Forum for author Iris Chang, to address ” The Silence of Nanking: Human Rights and World Ethics” Organized a community-wide reception at the Wiseman Art Museum.
1999-2000
Partnered with the Minneapolis Institute of Art to recruit the first Collection in Focus guide program to lead educational tours for the Chinese arts collection. Many CAAM members participated and continue till today.
2000
Initiated and organized a community-wide education forum and fund raiser for Dr. Wen Ho Lee’s legal defense. Title: Righting a Wrong and Equal Justice for All. It was held at the Wesley Methodist Church and $8,000 was raised. CAAM was a lead supporter.
On behalf of CAAM received the Community Leadership Award from the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans.
2001
Capital Campaign Chair of CAAM Chinese Dance Theater Raised funds from lead donors. Major benefactor, Bruce Dayton.
2002-2003
Chair of CAAMCDT through spring,2005
Explored facility options-Worked with Park Board on securing underutilized recreation center.
2004
Guided effort to secure and custom designed dance studio and meeting space at Energy Park for CAAM CDT. Professional assistance from architect Chow Leow.
2007
Secured national Preview rights to Nanking film, partnered with the Walker Art Center for screening and post discussion. Organized a community based Reception to honor Iris Chang’s Parents at the Sky room of Walker. CAAM was a key supporter.
(Vincent Mar)
2009
Initiated dialogue with Interim President and Exec Director of the U of MN Landscape Arboretum Dr. Mary Meyers to have a Chinese Garden inside the Arboretum. Proposal was accepted by the Board.
Joseph and Kamay Terry funded the cost to hire Danner Faber. to design a garden plan for fundraising In later years CAAM became a lead community organization to support the Garden.
2010
Recipient of MN Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans Individual Community
Leadership Award