How two Charlotte-area children became faces of the women’s marches
AMONG THE MILLIONS of people around the world who participated in the Women’s March on January 21, two babies from our region gained as much fame as anyone. JJ Kim, who lives with his family in Charlotte, wore the sign “I love naps but I stay woke,” referencing the phrase that means staying aware of injustice. That day, social media erupted with the hashtag #wokebaby. Jenny Sowry’s daughter, who created a sign with scribbles herself, was included in the hashtag. The photos went viral almost simultaneously. Sowry’s friend posted the scribbles photo and got 22,000 shares, and Kim’s photo was shared by the likes of Ariana Grande.
The two mothers connected the following week, and they realized they have a lot in common. Prisca Kim, whose parents emigrated from Korea just before she was born, has spent the past 10 years working for an organization that helps refugee families. Sowry’s husband, Sam’s, parents were Vietnamese refugees who came here in 1975. Here’s a little more about each child and the families, in the words of their mothers. (Edited for clarity and space. Jenny’s children’s names—she and Sam also have a nine year-old son—are withheld at Jenny’s request.) —Michael Graff
JJ KIM, 20 MONTHS OLD
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