Mudslinger Spotlight: Kathy Leu, ACB, CL

Toastmaster Kathy Leu, ACB, CL

When you are involved in a club such as Toastmasters where individual involvement is key for every meeting to be successful, you are happy to have a strong member like Kathy Leu.  Kathy Leu is the kind of coworker and club member who makes a strong interpersonal connection with every one she meets. Her magnetic personality combined with a very calm, laid-back demeanor almost belies her natural ability to lead and support when needed.  She is the kind of strong member that carries a club, rallies its members, and can be counted on to rise to the occasion. For these reasons, I chose Kathy Leu to be my first featured member for the Monthly Mudslinger Spotlight. 

 Please help me welcome Kathy Leu to the Spotlight… (Applause).

Carolina:  Hi, Kathy. Thanks for sitting down with me today. First things first, how did you hear about Toastmasters?

Kathy: I had seen the signs that promoted Toastmasters. At first, I decided that I could not make it because of the days.  I always had something that was going on and thought I should not join a club when I could not attend most of its meetings. Then, when I moved up to Supply Chain (M-I SWACO Department), my coworker, Monty, who was already a member dragged me to the meetings any way (chuckles). Ok, he did not really drag me, but I went with him. I attended a few meetings and sat in. Then, I decided to join.

Carolina: So you had never been in Toastmasters before?

Kathy: No. Never.

Carolina: That surprises me, because you have been such a strong member from the get-go. I thought you must have been involved with it before.

Kathy: (chuckles).

Carolina: So what do you enjoy most about being in Toastmasters?

Kathy: Just getting to know about people.  Meeting other people outside my own department. In my job, I do not have the opportunity to move around much to meet other employees. In Toastmasters, I have been able to meet many people from other departments that I would not have otherwise been able to meet.

Carolina: I agree with you. That is still one of my favorite things about Toastmasters, too. We learn so much about the members through their speeches whether they want us to or not.

Kathy: YES, I know! Like learning about Sara (Brunner) and how she struggled here after moving to America, being thrown into a second language and starting a new life. And hearing Nathan (Rife) sing in his speech.  I was so impressed.

Carolina: (laughing loudly) I know. Who knew Nathan could sing?

Kathy: Also, I was timing his speech and I was so into it that I lost track of timing him. 

Carolina:  Yes, I remember you saying that at the meeting. Very funny. How do you think Toastmasters has helped you recently?

Kathy: It helps me form my thoughts better. It really has helped me in my volunteer position with the Boy Scouts and presenting the benefits of scouting to new parents and helping them become familiar with the program.  I want to persuade the parents that we can all do this together (scouting). It does not have to be so overwhelming. We can all take a piece of the pie, and it will be a lot easier instead of one person doing it all.

Carolina: Why would you recommend Toastmasters to your coworkers and friends?

Kathy: Simply to gain more confidence.  Whether it is speaking to someone one-on-one or just being able to express a thought. It is easier in your head, but actually, speaking out loud is a lot harder, especially keeping your grammar and tenses in line with your train of thoughts.  I have a lot of great speeches in my head (laughs). 

  

Carolina:  Okay, now we are to the part where we get to know Kathy Leu. What are a few things left on your BUCKET LIST?

Kathy: (laughs) I don’t have a BUCKET LIST. In fact, the first time I ever heard of it was in the movie (The Bucket List), but I personally don’t have one.  

Carolina: Do you at least have one non-official thing you would like to do?

Kathy: There is a running joke I have with my husband. One year while he was in college, he toured Europe after a big breakup with a girlfriend.  He went with a buddy and they road trains, lived in Hostels, and backpacked through Europe. He was able to see Europe and I’m like when will you take me to see the Eiffel Tower? When do I get to see the Eiffel Tower? Of course, we have been married for over 35 years and I still haven’t been to France. I tell him, when are you going to take me? You promised. Of course, I am going on a cruise for our anniversary.

Carolina: Yay! Ok, next question: what is your favorite movie?

Kathy: Oh, Sound of Movie would be one.  My Fair Lady would be another. Now you get to see what types of movies I like. Another, not well known, is The Flower Drum Song. I can identify with this movie. It is sort of like West Side Story, but the Chinese- coming- to- America. I can see my grandmother, my mom, and myself in it. It’s my story.  It came out the same year as West Side Story, but was overshadowed by it.

Carolina: Well, you know, Natalie Wood and all…. (Laughter).

Kathy: oh, yeah, and The Joy Luck Club.

Carolina: I LOVE The Joy Luck Club.

Kathy: Again that movie I can identify with. It is very true, the cultural clashes of generations. Very much like The Flower Drum Song.

Carolina: What is your perfect getaway?

Kathy: Anywhere I can relax and cross-stitch, not the pattern cross-stitch, but COUNTED cross-stitch.

Carolina: In a few sentences, give me a mini-autobiography of yourself.

Kathy:  I am a first-generation American. My parents are from China. I couldn’t speak English. When I went to elementary school, I failed first grade! They actually failed me. In Junior High, I went to summer school to get back to my original graduation date (before I failed first grade).  I was born in San Francisco born in the Chinese Hospital. That is the actual name of the hospital. It is in the middle of China Town. That is always a cool thing to say. A lot is expected of the first born, which I am. I never got to participate in a lot of school events. I always had to go home and help out at the family grocery store. The plan was to go to school, graduate college, and continue to help out with the family business. My fist date was an arranged date by my mother and the guy’s mother (not her husband) to go to the prom. I met my husband (Leeland) during my last year of high school at a city-wide picnic for Chinese in Houston. Back then in Houston, the Chinese community was small. We all knew each other. We met again in college at University of Houston. Our circle of friends overlapped, so we got to meet each other, see each other, so we were friends first. I am a wedding coordinator. I have done 35 weddings.  I have three sons. I am officially old because I am a grandmother.  I have a grandson and a granddaughter from my oldest son. My second son is working after graduation. My third son is in his last year and a half of college.  So that is my life in a nut shell.

Carolina: So you are still involved in Boy Scouts even though your sons are out of it?

Kathy: Oh, yes. We are still involved because we have a connection with people. Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and become Eagle Scouts – the highest rank in Scouting! We know there are parents out there who share the same value system as we do and want the same things for their kids, so we keep helping out for that reason and because we are still having fun.

(End of Interview)

Kathy has come a long way from the little girl who did not speak English and failed first grade.  She has earned her Competent Leader certification though Toastmasters International and recently her Advanced Communicator Bronze.  She successful served as Vice President of Education for the club in 2010 and early 2011, a position that is both challenging and demanding.  I often go to her for advice and guidance.  Kathy is a very strong supporter of Toastmasters. She is a PR machine in her own right. She also is a mentor to all of us. Her absence is felt at meetings when she cannot attend (which is rare), so you can imagine what our club would be like without her.  Luckily, we will not have to know what that is like if Kathy has anything to do with it. By the way, her favorite color is purple. After seeing the write up of this article, she requested that her answers be in her favorite color purple.