Mary Su

CAPA of WVUSD

Mary Su immigrated to United States in 1982 and like many other first-generation individuals had aspirations of pursuing the American dream. She came with an empty hand, but an open heart full of energy and passion for an American education. She is the first member of her family to graduate from college where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Information Systems. Following her graduation from college she began her business career in real estate and import-export trade.

Founder's Bio - Mary Su

Given her preeminent community involvement and proven leadership over the years, Mary was encouraged to run for city council by Walnutresidents in 2006. She was elected to the Walnut City Council in April 2006 and re-elected in 2010 and 2014. She is the first Asian female to have been elected to the Walnut City Council and the first Asian female to have served as the city’s Mayor. During her three terms as Walnut’s Mayor, she helped Walnut move to its apex through accomplishing the following:

Helped Walnut become one of America’s “Top 50 Best Places to Live” (CNNMoney, August 2013)
Enabled Walnut to become the # 1 “Best Places to Live in California” (CNNMoney 2011)
Made Walnut one of the “Safest Cities in California” (Safewise.com. Jan 2014)
Balanced city budgets every year under difficult economic conditions without increasing taxes.
Constructed the longest walking trails in the Los Angeles area (close to 40 miles) and preserved Walnut’s open spaces and rural atmosphere.
Created free dial cabs for seniors, disabled adults, and children.

Mary is an active participant in the San Gabriel Valley Chamber of Commerce Civic and Educational entities. In 1997 she began noticing the cultural chasm between east and the west. This became the inception of the Chinese American Parents Association in 1997. Mary also created the sister school and cultural exchange program between the Walnut Valley and Shanghai Bao Shan School District.
Many Su has been a leader in many other local civic organizations and fundraising campaigns including the American Cancer Society, World Vision, the Mt. San Antonio College Foundation, Earth Day, hurricane and earthquake relief efforts, and disabled children’s service organizations.
Mary Su’s many contributions to the civic and charitable activities of the San Gabriel Valley have been frequently recognized and honored by other public leaders and charitable organizations.

The following are also Mary Su’s additional involvements and achievements:

Outstanding Leadership Award by U.S Congressman Ed Royce in 2012
Presidential Outstanding Gold Award by President Obama in 2011
YMCA San Gabriel Valley Women of Achievement Award in 2011
Women of the Year by California State Assembly 55th District in 2011
Leadership Award by US Congressman David Drier in 2010
Outstanding Leadership Award by US Congress woman Judy Chu in 2010
Outstanding Chinese American Award by the Chinese American Federation in 2009
Woman of the Year by California State Senator 29th district in 2003
League of California Policy Committee
AAPI Advisory Director of Senator Josh Newman
Southern California Council of Governments
Southern California Contract Cities
Four Corner Transportation: LA County, Riverside County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control
Mt. San Antonio College Foundation Board of Directors
Speaker for Chinese Government officials at the University of Southern California/International Policy school
President of Chinese American Elected Officials
Founder and president of Walnut Valley Unified School District Chinese- American Parents Organization
American Cancer Society Ambassador
Miss Taiwan World Pageant Adviser
American Smartplast Inc, CEO
Walnut M & M Financial Service Owner
GMY International Consultant, Co-owner

As a racial minority and woman, I have been no stranger marginalization or adversity throughout my entire life. In politics, the challenges only increased. However, there is one quote by Calvin Coolidge that continues to reverberate in my mind. He stated that “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”