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THE TACOMA IMMIGRANT STORIES PROJECT

The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project is an ongoing initiative from the World Affairs Council of Tacoma to record, capture and present the experiences of Tacoma immigrants in their own words. From the date of its incorporation as a city, immigrants have contributed to the character and vitality of Tacoma. These brief interviews are intended to raise awareness of the immigrant experience in Tacoma and the contributions that immigrants have made to our city.

The World Affairs Council is grateful for the work of John Hargis of the Tacoma Public Library in filming these interviews, and Jerell Andres for editing them.

Are you interested in Teaching Resources for The Tacoma Immigrant Stories Project? Please click below for our Immigrant Stories Project Curriculum Guide.

Curriculum Guide

This project is funded by a grant from:

Lin Zhou

Lin Zhou came to the United States as an ESL student. In this interview she describes how she was able to eventually work her way to becoming the President of Bates Technical College.

Zahid Chaudhry

Zahid was born in Pakistan. He discusses his service in the U.S. military and the different challenges that Muslim immigrants have faced in this country.

Mauricio Robalino

Mauricio was born in Ecuador and is a long-time local artist. He describes his ties to Ecuador, his life in Tacoma and his artistic process.

Etga Ugur

Etga immigrated from Turkey and is a professor at the University of Washington-Tacoma. In this interview he discusses challenges Muslims face in the post 9/11 environment.

Mariam D. Kurdghelaidze Anderson

Mariam immigrated from the Republic of Georgia following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Here she discusses the life she has created for herself in Tacoma.

Gadine Marie Niyotwizeye

Gadine immigrated from Rwanda to pursue an education. In Tacoma she has worked in the health care sector and sung in the Tacoma Refugee choir.

Kerry Ramroop

Kerry, who is originally from Trindidad, relocated to the United States to be with his wife. After moving to Tacoma, he embarked on new career as a nurse, which included helping with the COVID crisis.

Sok-Khieng Lim Hardy

Sok-Khieng came to the United States as a refugee from the Cambodian genocide in the 1970s. Hear her story of adjusting to life in her new country and establishing a successful career as a Tacoma attorney.

Reshma David

Reshma David is an immigrant from India who became a beloved member of her community in North Tacoma before visa problems forced her to move to Canada. Hear her story.

Leon Khalsa-Maulen

Leon Khalsa-Maulen immigrated to the United States from Germany as a teenager before moving to Tacoma to take a job teaching psychology at Pierce College. Hear the story of his journey towards becoming an American citizen.

Maurice Lekea

Maurice Lekea came to the United States as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hear his description of how he made a new life for himself in Tacoma, including his participation in the Tacoma Refugee Choir.