Maryland's 'rock star' first lady delivers on virus tests [View all]
Source: Associated Press
Brian Witte, Associated Press
Updated 3:59 pm CDT, Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Photo: Brian Witte, AP
IMAGE 1 OF 3
Maryland first lady Yumi Hogan stands at a news conference at the governor's residence on Monday, April 20, 2020 in Annapolis, Md., where her husband, Gov. Larry Hogan announced she helped negotiations that led to a company in South Korea to send a shipment to boost the state's ability to conduct tests for COVID-19 by 500,000.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland's first lady Yumi Hogan is already hugely popular in the state's Asian-American community. Now, her instrumental role in Maryland's response to the coronavirus pandemic — helping to secure 500,000 test kits from South Korea — has emphatically shown that there's much more behind her gracious demeanor and artistic talent.
As Gov. Larry Hogan praised his wife for championing the confidential negotiations, the first lady stood quietly by his side, wearing a mask and a pin with the U.S. and South Korean flags. She added not a word to his surprise announcement that she engineered the arrival of $9 million in critical testing supplies.
It was characteristic of the Korean-born artist, who has generally avoided the spotlight during the Republican governor's tenure. But those who know Yumi Hogan say they aren't surprised that she accomplished what most governors — and even the White House — have struggled to do.
“She is a celebrity and a rock star, really, in the Korean American community in the region, and so her being in the governor’s mansion with Mr. Hogan, it’s a really big deal for folks — back home in Korea as well as here,” said Del. David Moon, a Democrat whose parents immigrated from Korea.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/Maryland-s-rock-star-first-lady-delivers-on-15218768.php
= new reply since forum marked as read