Svetlana Kim

Svetlana Kim, Bestselling Author of White Pearl and I, International Speaker, and Community Leader 

Svetlana Kim landed alone in New York City on a cold December day in 1991. She was only 23 years old, spoke no English, had only a dollar in her pocket and the address of a long-lost friend. Whether through divine providence or sheer luck, she was befriended by a stranger who bought her a crosscountry bus ticket to San Francisco. It is in this city of immigrants that her American life begins. The intelligent and industrious student sacrificed her books for cleaning supplies in order to survive. But

like many young students, she was a quick study mastering the nuances of American culture and the language.

In her new book, “White Pearl and I: A Memoir of a Political Refugee,” Ms. Kim describes her amazing journey and how she navigated the often difficult legal process of being a political refugee and worked her way to success as she become a stock broker.

Ms. Kim’s life is an homage to her greatest inspiration, her grandmother, Bya-ok (Korean for White Pearl) as well as to the countless hard working and generous people who have in her own words helped her, “to never stop dreaming big and to pursue my own happiness.”

Renown for more than her courage to leave her home, Ms. Kim is an outspoken and effective activist.

Svetlana Kim recently received the world renowned “Artemis Award” from the Euro-American Women’s Council in Athens at the Zappeion Megaron under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture of Greece on June 15, 2009. She is a recipient of the “Hellenic Award” from The Hon. Nikitas Kaklamanis, Mayor of Athens. Ms. Kim was selected for  the most prestigious 2009 International Leadership Award from the ILF (International Leadership Foundation). 

Ms. Kim is a 2008 Asian Academy Hall of Fame inductee. She shares this acclaimed honor with Norman Mineta, the former Secretary of Transportation and the 24th Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao.