Tran named to list of most influential women

When Tammy Tran fled with her 10-month-old baby, Ba Nguyen, from South Vietnam when it fell in 1975, she weighed just 95 pounds.

One of her most vivid memories of arriving in the United States was her first experience with American food.

“I will never forget the first hamburger that I ate,” Tran said. “It was heavenly delicious, and I thought I could eat hamburgers and Virginia Hansen’s cucumber pickles every day for the rest of my life.”

Tran has come a long way since then.

She was recently named one of the 10 most influential Vietnamese-American women by the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce of Houston. It’s  an honor that she feels truly blessed to have received.

The daughter of a pharmacist, Tran was born in Thua Thien, Vietnam, and raised in Saigon.

Once in the states, Tran quickly became a success story, graduating summa cum laude from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and then receiving a degree from The University of Texas School of Law. She was inspired to become a lawyer after first reading “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“I dreamed to defend the oppressed men like Scout’s father (did),” Tran said.

After graduation, she spent eight years working at a large law firm before starting her own firm, which has been in operation since 1997. She, along with current Municipal Court Judge Kathy Han, also started the Asian American Youth Organization (AAYO), which helps Asian and Vietnamese-American youth succeed academically and maintain their heritage.

When she received a letter informing her that she had been nominated for the list of 10 most influential Vietnamese-American women, she was extremely honored.

“I felt so small, yet joyful,” Tran said. “The list consists of 10 women whom I am honored and humbled to be considered next to.”

She had the opportunity to work with another member of the list, Christine Ha, with the AAYO, and she has had the chance to meet some of the others who were chosen as well.

“I also felt so small in thinking of the achievements of the other eight beautiful, remarkable ladies who have quietly glorified God and His children for years and years while fighting against trials and tribulations in their lives,” Tran said.

Tran plans to continue her legal work, and she credits her faith for much of her success and ability to persevere.

ABOUT TAMMY TAN
AGE: 61
OCCUPATION: Lawyer
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Sugar Land resident
FAST FACT: Specializes in mass torts litigation