AHS CEO Julia Liou and President Dr. Thu Quach delve into the health and safety issues nail salon workers face when working with dangerous chemicals in nail and beauty products. 

“Twenty years ago, I fell in love with AHS’ dual mission of advocacy and services,” said Ms. Liou. Whether forging coalitions or calling attention to neglected needs, fundraising for civic engagement or lifting up patient voices to change policies, she says, “I joined AHS with a deep desire to work in the AAPI community. During her tenure with AHS, Ms. Liou has spearheaded key initiatives and programs like the California Health Nail Salon Collaborative. 

A fierce community advocate, Dr. Quach’s lived experience has motivated her to make the world a better place for Asian American and immigrant communities. Escaping persecution in Vietnam, Thu and her family migrated via boat to the US when she was just five years old. Decades later, her mother who had been a cosmetologist working in nail salons, was lost to cancer. As a trained epidemiologist, Thu’s research has influenced the nationally-recognized California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative and has led to the passing of the groundbreaking Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program local ordinance in San Francisco and subsequent statewide bill providing protections for future generations of cosmetologists. 

The California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative works to improve the health, safety, and rights of the nail and beauty care workforce to achieve a healthier, more sustainable and just community. We are a statewide coalition of 25 organizations that engages in cross-movement building to ensure that beauty is synonymous with healthy, safe and dignified working conditions, products, and services.

Learn more here: https://www.cahealthynailsalons.org/