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Announcing Short Story Contest Winners!
Upcoming Meeting
Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 7:00–8:00 PM
Join us for social time beginning at 6:30 PM
My Journey from Refugee to Writer
Presented by Cham Baird
In 1975, Cham left her homeland, Vietnam, on a military aircraft empty-handed but with the clothes she wore. She arrived in America as a refugee with no money, no home, no future. All Cham knew was that she had escaped communism, and that somewhere, somehow, she would find safety and freedom.
Over the decades that followed, Cham rebuilt a life from the ground up, piece by piece. She learned resilience not from books, but from living it day by day, just trying to survive, assimilate in this new life, and overcome challenges. Many beginnings, many starting overs. Between full-time work and night school, Cham earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business. After almost two decades at Corporate America, Cham traded a management position and took risks to pursue an independent lifestyle, becoming a business owner. In the first two years, she attended school to earn a Master’s degree (MBA).
Cham had loved, lost, and found love again, a companionship that brought steadiness and peace into her life. She has begun to heal and understand identity and belonging, shaping her into the person she is now.
After over two decades running her business, Cham retired and stepped into writing. Her story is one of resilience, healing, and transformation – shaped by the experiences that carried her from Vietnam to America, from a refugee with no voice to a woman who finally found hers.
Cham writes to turn memory into strength, a voice through written words that she once had to leave behind.
Please CLICK HERE to register for the next meeting. You can do this at any time, even today. Once you register, you will receive an email confirming your registration. Then, on the date of the meeting, connect to the meeting via the link provided in your email.
See the Events Page for details on From Blank Page to Finished Book,
coming September 6 at 1:00 PM.
M/S Word Training for Writers! Click here for details.
It’s Here!
Writing Strong! 35 Years of Creativity showcases gripping fiction, insightful essays, and poignant poetry in a captivating mix of styles and voices from San Gabriel Writers’ League, a vibrant and diverse community of writers celebrating the journey from aspiring writer to published author.
Get your copy now!
San Gabriel Writers' League 