Maria -- a former chemical engineer who studied at MIT -- is the first Korean American lawmaker elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature. She decided to run for Representative after encountering red tape during her daughter's adoption process. As an adopted child from South Korea who was raised in the U.S. herself, there are significant personal stakes here for Maria. Fueled by her frustrations with the American foster care system, Maria feels that it's her responsibility to strengthen laws and secure the rights of foster children and their families.​ A Mom's Personal Mission streaming on VOA+ on May 19, 2022.