Vanna Howard Sworn in as Nation’s First Cambodian-American State Senator

Lowell Democrat Vanna Howard makes history as first Cambodian-American state senator

A survivor of the Khmer Rouge genocide, Howard fled Cambodia and came to the United States at the age of 11. The Lowell Democrat won a special election for the First Middlesex District on March 3, succeeding the late Sen. Ed Kennedy, who died in October.

Vanna Howard of Lowell makes history as nation’s first Cambodian American state senator - The Boston Globe

Howard, a former state representative, was sworn in Wednesday, succeeding Edward J. Kennedy who died in October.

Vanna Howard sworn in as nation’s first Cambodian-American state senator

BOSTON — After winning the special election for the 1st Middlesex District earlier this month, Vanna Howard officially made history Wednesday when she was sworn in as the first Cambodian-American state senator anywhere in the U.S.