Before There Were Influencers, There Was My Mom

A Legacy of Purpose and Servant Leadership=

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May is a special month for celebrating the people who shape our lives, with Parents' Day in Korea on May 8 and Mother's Day in Canada soon after. Today, I want to honour one of the two most influential women leaders in my life: my mom.

My mom exemplifies a purpose-driven life like no other. For as long as I can remember, she has been a fierce advocate for the most overlooked in our communities. She volunteered tirelessly across organizations, always rising as a leader even without a formal title, because people naturally followed her. Long before “influencer” became a buzzword, my mom was already empowering others with conviction and grace.

She put her professional career on hold for 20 years to raise her three daughters. But when her youngest entered university, she reignited a dream long placed on hold: enrolling in graduate school. She learned to type on a computer for the first time, wrote comprehensive exams in English, and pushed herself in ways that still amaze me.

Now that I’m approaching the age she was then, I see with fresh eyes just how extraordinary that chapter of her life was. We often say age is just a number, but for women in midlife, the hormonal and emotional changes are very real. And yet, she persevered with quiet grit.

She earned her Ph.D. in social welfare, specializing in elderly welfare. Her dissertation received the top recognition in her school, a testament to her brilliance and resilience.

She didn’t stop there. My mom lived her dream as a professor, focusing on supporting older students, many of whom couldn't afford an education when they were younger. Her own story inspired many of them to pursue bigger dreams. Dozens went on to graduate studies, some are now professors themselves. They always say my mom changed the trajectory of their lives.

She’s also been a significant figure in senior welfare in Korea, serving for 10 years as a volunteer director of a senior citizens' school and for the past decade as the first and only female VP of the Korean Senior Citizens Association. While her title sounds prestigious, it’s her servant leadership that defines her. She’s always on her feet: planning programs, advocating for resources, and working directly with seniors to ensure they are seen as valuable contributors, not a burden, in Korea’s rapidly aging society.

About 8 years ago, she received the 국민훈장 (Order of Civil Merit, Korea’s equivalent of the U.S. Medal of Freedom) in recognition of her lifetime service to the most vulnerable in our communities.

She also helped pioneer Korea’s now well-established recycling system. But that story deserves its own post. Stay tuned!

Thank you, umma, for showing me what servant leadership truly looks like. Your quiet strength, wisdom, and compassion have left an indelible mark not only on our family but on countless others.

PS: If you’re wondering who the other woman of influence is in my life, it’s my late grandmother, whose story I look forward to sharing soon. ❤️

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jean Kim is an award-winning educator, global communication strategist, and co-founder of LYP Training & Consulting. With a life shaped by international moves and a career built on 20+ years of communication expertise, she empowers global professionals—especially women and equity-deserving groups—to lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. From Seoul to Toronto, Jean’s work bridges cultures and builds voices that make an impact.