Fatherly Influence Inspires Coworker to Assist Her Community

When Mary Tawasha was growing up in San Francisco’s Chinatown after coming from Hong Kong, her parents forced her to attend the Nam Kue Chinese language school for six years.

“I hated it,” she said.

But now, she really appreciates that experience. “I was grateful for that and for my grandfather,” said Tawasha. “If we didn’t speak Chinese at home, he wouldn’t let us eat dinner.”

Today, her education continues to benefit PG&E’s Chinese-speaking customers.

During the workday, the expert information analyst helps analyze energy usage data. Her clients include commercial industry customers such as Chevron, Safeway and Stanford University. She recently marked 35 years with the company.

For the last 16 years, Tawasha has also volunteered as an English-to-Cantonese translator for PG&E. She works at customer engagement events targeting in-language customers.

Tawasha was on the multicultural customer support team that recently assisted at a day-long Community Coffee Connect event for customers affected by the December San Francisco power outage. She did a walk around the Sunset District and along Clement Street to visit merchants, most of them Chinese-speaking, impacted by the outage.

Tawasha enjoyed assisting impacted these customers. “I’m happy to help someone,” she said. “You just feel proud to know you’re able to make a difference.”

Like father, like daughter

Years ago, Tawasha started doing translation work for PG&E. A now-retired coworker told her PG&E needed help at events within the Asian-American community.

Tawasha’s volunteer moment came at the right time. She had been supporting abused women at a shelter. Tawasha also worked at the Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic, where female victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking get help.

“I did it for three years. I got out because some of the things you see in there are hard to take,” said Tawasha. “I wanted to help the community and those who couldn’t help themselves.”

Her passion to serve comes from her father, Hung Yue Louie. He came to America from Hong Kong in the mid-1960s. Louie assimilated into his new community by taking English classes and attending community college — while holding two jobs.

Her father would become president of San Francisco’s Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, commonly known as the Chinese Six Companies. The group, founded in the 1850s, provides advocacy, protection and a voice against discrimination and anti-Chinese sentiment.

Tawasha said her father didn’t want to be president of the Chinese Six. However, many people wanted him to take the role. His work for the group inspired Tawasha.

“I saw how he was fighting for the Asians,” said Tawasha. “The work made him proud because he was able to help people. My dad never had anyone to help him. He did everything on his own. If I’m able to help somebody, I want to.”

‘It helps our brand’

Tawasha enjoys her translation work and getting out into the community.

“It helps our brand,” she said. “People are so grateful we’re doing it face-to-face. They realize we're making an effort, actually listening to them and trying to help them with their needs.

“I came to America when I was two,” added Tawasha. “I just feel for some, even though they’ve been here for a while, they haven’t been able to learn English. If we can help, it makes a big difference and goes a long way.”