Loida N. Lewis
Business Executive, Immigration Lawyer, Philanthropist
New York, New York
(Photo courtesy: Loida N. Lewis. Loida can be seen as first on the right)
Loida N. Lewis grew up in a traditional Catholic family in the Philippines with a calling to become a nun. However, she was persuaded by her mother to first finish her study of law at the University of the Philippines before entering the convent.
But after she’d received her law degree, she went on a blind date in New York City that would forever change the course of her life. Her intense courtship in the 1960s with Reginald F. Lewis, a rising star in the world of New York City corporate law, would eventually lead Loida to propose marriage.
In her almost 25 years of marriage, Loida raised her two daughters, adopting Mr. Lewis’s African-American identity. And while Loida experienced her own career challenges as an Asain woman and immigration lawyer, she witnessed her husband’s stellar career success as the first black billion-dollar deal-maker in New York.
As Loida watched Mr. Lewis’s fame and fortune grow, the unexpected happened.
In her new memoir “Why Should Guys Have All the Fun?” – an Asian American story of love, faith, motherhood, and running a billion-dollar business empire – Loida N. Lewis opens with the most traumatic chapter of her life – the sudden passing of Mr. Lewis.
In this podcast conversation, Loida reflects on her undying faith that revived her during the darkest period of her life. She also describes her humble upbringing in Sorsogon, the Philippines, the indelible teachings of her parents, and her steadfast determination to succeed as an immigration lawyer before taking over Mr. Lewis’ business enterprise after his untimely death.
Find Your Roots is a history and culture project centering on Asian American voices, perspectives, and experiences. It is a one-on-one, in-depth podcast interview show with Asian “Roots-Finders” seeking to remember the diverse and profound influences of their parents and grandparents. This educational podcast project is designed to promote and preserve the legacy of the countless contributions—as well as forgotten struggles and sacrifices—of our ancestors who paved the way for us today.
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