I started the foundation on a rainy Tuesday.
Not a real foundation—not yet. Just an idea. A notebook. A list of names.
Women who had been trapped in contract marriages. Women who had been used and discarded. Women who had no one to call when their mothers died.
"Maya Chen Foundation for Contract Marriage Survivors," Lena read, looking over my shoulder. "That's a mouthful."
"We'll workshop the name."
"You're serious about this."
"I'm serious." I looked up at her. "I had Helen. I had you. I had Julian. Most women don't have that."
"So you're going to be that for them."
"Yes."
Lena was quiet for a moment.
Then she said, "Your mother would be proud."
I felt something swell in my chest.
"I hope so," I said.
---
Vanessa helped me write the mission statement.
We sat in my apartment
