Mary Nguyen

In 1993, Nguyen won Miss Teenage America. Petersen Publishing Company owned 'TEEN Magazine and as part Miss Teenage America's responsibilities, Nguyen was given a monthly column.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcall.com/1993/08/29/rough-and-tumble-hip-hop-style-goes-to-school-this-fall/|title=Rough And Tumble Hip-hop Style Goes To School This Fall.|last=Rayner|first=Polly|date=1993-08-29|newspaper=The Morning Call|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-20}} The column was typically dedicated to stories about make-up, fashion, and beauty. However, "TEEN Magazine editors decided to change the column's structure and added an advice column component. There readers wrote to the magazine seeking advice and Nguyen addressed their teen concerns. In addition, Nguyen was a public speaker and travelled throughout the country speaking to teens and advocated against peer pressure, as well as drug and alcohol abuse. Subsequently, Nguyen was later published in the Los Angeles Times as a guest writer.

The state of California extended public recognition and commendation for Mary Nguyen's service by enacting Resolution 673. Ross Johnson, Chairman of California Fair Political Practices Commission and California State Senator Betty Karnette sponsored the resolution. It is a distinguished award thanking Nguyen's efforts on the country's "War on Drugs" initiative and peer pressure issues.

In 1999, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles

{{Cite news|url=https://alumni.ucla.edu/excellence-in-action/mary-nguyen-99/|title=Excellence in Action Mary Nguyen.|last=Beall|first=Monique|date=2018-05-06|newspaper=UCLA ALUMNI|language=en-US|access-date=2020-09-05}}

While at UCLA, Nguyen served as the President of UCLA's Society of Professional Journalists chapter. A Mark of Excellence Journalism award was given to Nguyen for her work in the journalism field while at UCLA.

Nguyen was an intern at the O.J. Simpson Trial and published an article in 'TEEN Magazine about her experience. Later she became a fellow at Center for American Politics and Public Policy Program and interned at 'Nightline in Washington DC.{{Cite web|url=https://ssgs.ucla.edu/centers/center-for-american-politics-and-public-policy-cappp/|title=Center for American Politics and Public Policy (CAPPP) - Social Sciences Grant Support|website=Social Sciences Grant Support|language=en-US|access-date=2016-03-27}}{{Cite web|url=http://cappp.ucla.edu/|title=Home - Center for American Politics and Public Policy|website=Center for American Politics and Public Policy|language=en-US|access-date=2016-03-27}} Nguyen later earned her Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee, Florida.

Mary Nguyen started her career in 1999 in Waterloo, Iowa at KWWL-TV, the NBC affiliate. She later moved to Wichita, Kansas and worked at KAKE-TV, the ABC affiliate. Then in 2001, Nguyen began reporting in Little Rock, Arkansas at KATV-TV, the ABC affiliate.{{Cite web|url=http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/55644/best-in-show-outtakes-opinion|title=Best in Show? (Outtakes Opinion)|last=Halcombe|first=Carl|date=2003-06-23|website=Arkansas Business|access-date=2016-03-25}} There, Nguyen covered politics and government including the extensive fundraising efforts led by the Clinton Foundation to build the 165 million dollar Clinton Presidential Center.{{Cite news|url=http://dailypress.com/chi-041114clintonlibrary-story-story.html|title=A New Chapter.|last=Kamin|first=Blair|date=2004-11-04|newspaper=Daily Press|access-date=2016-03-26}}

In 2003, Nguyen started working as a reporter at [http://www.wftv.com/ WFTV], the ABC-affiliate television station in Orlando, Florida.{{Cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watchv=WlHAv8HEEN0&list=PLuzMtkKz61V_mOUe156hMcjgKnIOHIGOP&index=54&ab_channel=anonOtown/|title=WFTV News Investigates Orlando Police|website=You Tube|access-date=2020-09-06}}{{cite web|url=http://www.startiger.com/l?i=421098.com|title=Celebrity Address on StarTiger |website=Star Tiger|access-date=2016-03-24}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/blister/Content?oid=2253048|title=BLISTER|last=Manes|first=Billy|website=Orlando Weekly|access-date=2016-03-24}} Nguyen started to focus her efforts on reporting on the legal system, politics and government. Her reports showed the public that justice is served, criminals are punished and people are held accountable in the criminal and civil justice system.{{Cite news|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-05-30/news/jailprobe30_1_jail-fight-club-horizon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331065331/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-05-30/news/jailprobe30_1_jail-fight-club-horizon|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2016|title=Orange County, Fla., Jail Officials Investigated 'Fight Club' Among Inmates.|last=Pacheko|first=Walter|date=2008-05-30|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|language=en-US|issn=0744-6055|access-date=2016-03-27}}

However, in an era of classified document leaks, government data dumps, and increasingly antagonistic relationships between law enforcement and the media, Nguyen sought to expose unfairness in the system, either for victims or defendants, help prevent injustices by shining a spotlight on the actions of judges, lawyers and other participants in the justice system.{{Cite web|author=Malibu Chris|title=Orange County Corrections Fight Club Investigation|date=2012-08-14|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onVF0Y8t-vI|publisher=YouTube|access-date=2016-03-27}}

In 2009, she was nominated for an Emmy in the politics/government category for her investigation into the Orange County Jail Chief who was accused of misusing tax -payer funds.

Mary broke international stories, which have fueled a public debate between two religions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/16/AR2009101603329|title=Teen Feared Death After Change From Islam to Christianity|last=Green|first=Amy|date=2009-10-17|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|access-date=2016-03-27}} {{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Cite web|url=http://flnewscenter.com/?p=530|title=Florida News Center » Blog Archive » WFTV blasts WOFL & WESH over exclusive…|website=flnewscenter.com|access-date=2016-03-26}} In 2009, a Sri Lankan girl named Rifqa Bary, ran away from her home in Ohio to Florida. She claimed her Muslim parents were going to kill her for becoming a Christian.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=8303567&page=1|title=Christian Teen Fears Muslim Father Will Kill Her|date=2009-08-13|website=ABC News|access-date=2016-03-26}}

Mary created change when she exposed how deputies at the Orange County Sheriff's Office were violating people's civil rights by their excessive use of force.{{Cite web|url=https://www.policeone.com/archive/articles/72440-Fla-Deputy-Shoots-Man-After-Taser-Malfunctions/|title=Fla. Deputy Shoots Man After Taser Malfunctions|website=PoliceOne|access-date=2016-03-26}} Deputies were accused of tasing elementary school children, women who were pregnant, and suspects while they were restrained in handcuffs. Her reports led to an FBI investigation. The damaging FBI report led to the Department of Justice stepping in and placed the agency on probation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-successful-resolution-its-agreement-orange-county-fla-sheriff-s|title=Justice Department Announces the Successful Resolution of Its Agreement with the Orange County, Fla., Sheriff's Office {{!}} OPA {{!}} Department of Justice|website=Justice.gov|date=2 April 2013|access-date=2016-03-24}} The DOJ oversaw the Orange County Sheriff's Office for three years while the Sheriff retrained his deputies and changed his use of force policies.

Nguyen was known for her investigative reports about legal issues and the criminal justice system.{{Cite web|publisher=YouTube|author=W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr.|title=Police Dog Attack Lawsuit Florida Channel 9 HD|date=2012-02-15|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57uT0aNQhE0|access-date=2016-03-24}} She shed light to viewers when she broke the story about an Orange County county commissioner who was indicted for taking illegal campaign contributions and then later tried to go on welfare. During the nine years she was in Orlando, she continued to report on the complexities of the justice system while covering controversial cases such as the Casey Anthony case,{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/dr-phil-casey-anthony-parents-1037054|title=Exclusive: Dr. Phil on His Blockbuster Interview with Casey Anthony's Parents|date=2011-09-07|website=TV Guide Magazine|language=en-US|issn=0039-8543|access-date=2016-03-24}}{{Cite web|publisher=YouTube|author=Richard Hornsby|title=High-Profile Orlando Attorney Contacted In Casey Anthony Case|date=2009-01-31|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-LuJZgkkhQ|access-date=2016-03-24}} Trayvon Martin case and covered the Tiger Woods case. In 2012, Nguyen left WFTV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2013/02/05/wftv-reporter-drew-petrimoulx-part-company-mary-nguyen-working-in-phoenix/|title=WFTV, reporter Drew Petrimoulx part company|website=Tribunedigital-orlandosentinel|access-date=2016-03-24}}

The journalist continued working on the Trayvon Martin case when she started working for NBC News.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/04/02/us/the-events-leading-to-the-shooting-of-trayvon-martin.html?_r=0|title=Events Leading to the Shooting of Trayvon Martin|last1=Park|first1=Haeyoun|last2=McLEAN|first2=ALAN|access-date=2016-03-26|last3=Roberts|first3=Graham|last4=Tse|first4=Archie|website=The New York Times}} Trayvon Martin is a 17-year-old African American teenager who was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. The neighborhood watch volunteer called Sanford police to report Martin, who he said appeared "suspicious."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/video/newsnation/46786334|title=911 calls released in deadly Florida shooting|website=NBCNews.com|access-date=2016-03-26}} Moments later, there was an altercation between the two individuals in which Zimmerman shot Martin, killing him.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/George-Zimmerman-to-Make-First-Appearance-Before-Judge-Thursday-147134515.html|title=Zimmerman Arraignment Set For May|website=NBC 6 South Florida|date=12 April 2012 |access-date=2016-03-26}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/22/us/documents-tell-zimmermans-side-in-martin-shooting.html|title=Documents Tell Zimmerman's Side in Martin Case|last1=Alvarez|first1=Lizette|date=2012-06-21|last2=Williams|first2=Timothy|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-03-26}} A national debate about racial profiling and stand your ground laws ensued, and the governor of Florida appointed a task force to examine the state's laws.{{Cite web|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-03-05/news/os-zimmerman-witness-8-medical-records-20130305_1_george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin-bernie-de-la-rionda|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306214449/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-03-05/news/os-zimmerman-witness-8-medical-records-20130305_1_george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin-bernie-de-la-rionda|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2013|title=George Zimmerman stand your ground hearing: Witness in Zimmerman case caught in lie|website=tribunedigital-orlandosentinel|access-date=2016-03-26}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/19/justice/florida-stand-your-ground/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |title=Task force to consider 'stand your ground' after Trayvon Martin death - CNN.com |website=CNN |date=2012-04-21 |access-date=2016-03-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421021516/http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/19/justice/florida-stand-your-ground/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |archive-date=April 21, 2012 }}{{Cite web|url=http://roselawgroupreporter.com/2013/07/twitterzona-heated-emotions-in-wake-of-zimmerman-verdict-weather-tweets-storm-twitter-feeds/|title=TwitterZona: Heated emotions in wake of Zimmerman verdict; weather tweets storm Twitter feeds - Rose Law Group Reporter|website=Rose Law Group Reporter|date=16 July 2013|language=en-US|access-date=2016-03-24}}

In 2013, she started working as an investigative and general assignment reporter at KPNX-TV, the NBC affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.azcentral.com/video/2437229364001|title= 2500 Phoenix police officers file a class action lawsuit: The union wants the city to pay for the officers uniforms.|website=azcentral.com|access-date=2016-03-25}} She was also a contributing writer for USA Today and The Arizona Republic.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/31/arizona-shooting/1880255|title=Phoenix office shooting claiming second victim|date=2013-01-31|newspaper=USA Today|language=en-US|issn=0734-7456|access-date=2016-03-27}} During her time in Arizona, she covered numerous stories including the highly publicized trial of Jodi Arias, and the Yanira Maldonaldo case where an Arizona mother was detained after Mexican officials accused her of smuggling marijuana into the country.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/watch/nbc-news-channel/arias-trial-dismissed-juror-speaks-out-44436035708|title=Arias trial: Dismissed juror speaks out|website=NBC News|access-date=2016-03-25}} Maldonado's case sparked widespread media coverage and attention from U.S. lawmakers as family members pushed for her freedom{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/31/justice/mexico-american-freed|title=Arizona mom freed from Mexican jail 'screamed' for joy|website=CNN News|date=31 May 2013|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-03}} {{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-22733641|title=Yanira Maldonado freed from Mexican jail - BBC News|work=BBC News|date=31 May 2013|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-04-03}}

Nguyen later left KPNX-TV, the NBC affiliate and started law school. She became a law clerk for Honorable Sherry K. Stephens, the judge who presided over the Jodi Arias case in Phoenix, Arizona.

Nguyen received her Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law. She is a criminal defense attorney, worked as an assistant public defender in the Fifth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuit; and now works at the Office of the Public Defender in Clearwater for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida.{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabar.org/mybarprofile/127402|website=floridabar.org|title=Attorney: Office of the Public Defender Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida}} She continues her work in media, law and social policy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabar.org/news/resources/rpt-hbk/#foiaauthor|website=floridabar.org|title=Federal Sunshine Laws: The Freedom of Information Act.}}

The Florida Bar President-Elect appointed Nguyen to the Florida Bar Committee Leadership.{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/185-appointed-to-bar-committee-leadership-positions|title=185-appointed-to-bar-committee-leadership-positions|access-date=2022-05-27}}

Nguyen is serving as Chairwoman, for The Florida Bar Media and Communications Law Committee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/185-appointed-to-bar-committee-leadership-positions|website=floridabar.org|title=185-appointed-to-bar-committee-leadership-positions|access-date=2022-05-27}} Nguyen is the first Asian-American woman in Florida to be appointed as vice chair and Chair for The Florida Bar Media and Communications Law Committee.

Nguyen is also known for being the first Asian-American to win 'TEEN Magazine's Miss Teenage America in 1993. The pageant was owned by Teen Magazine. Her mother, Mai Pham, thought it brought honor to the Vietnamese community and reminded them that "their assimilation into U.S. culture" was fairly complete.

• Miss Teenage America (1993) {{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-21-me-928-story.html|title=Teen Pageant Winner Is as Asian-American as Apple Pie : Heritage: Mary Nguyen, the new Miss Teenage America, is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees. This 'girl next door' is a straight-A student and a cheerleader.|last=LE|first=PHUONG|date=1993-02-21|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-03-27}}
• Eli Segal Education Award, Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps JD Program,{{Cite web|url=http://equaljusticeworks.org/law-school/americorpsjd|title = Turn Your Passion for Equal Justice into Action During Law School}} [http://www.nationalservice.gov/ Corporation for National & Community Service] (2015)
• Associated Press Award- Kathryn Dettman Award
• Associated Press Award- Clete Roberts Memorial Award
• Mark of Excellence Award in Journalism (The Society of Professional Journalists Los Angeles Chapter)
• California Legislative Enacted Resolution No. 673 (commendation and recognition)
• State of Michigan Legislative Tribute, Michigan State Senator James Barryman & State Representative Lynn Owen commendation for public policy and advocacy efforts on behalf of MADD in the state of Michigan.{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19930308&id=uicxAAAAIBAJ&pg=4346,1998822&hl=en|title=Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com|access-date=2016-03-25}}
• Emmy Nomination- WFTV Team Coverage- Caylee Anthony Found (2009){{Cite web |url=http://flnewscenter.com/?p=763 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-03-24 |archive-date=2016-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407124228/http://flnewscenter.com/?p=763 |url-status=dead }}
• Emmy Nomination- Category: Politics/ Government- Investigative Report (2009){{Cite news|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/tvguy/2009/10/20/caylee-anthony-coverage-brings-emmy-nominations-to-wesh-wftv|title=Caylee Anthony Coverage Brings Emmy Nominations to WESH, WFTV|last=Boedeker|first=Hal|date=2009-10-20|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|language=en-US|issn=0744-6055|access-date=2016-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331064543/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/tvguy/2009/10/20/caylee-anthony-coverage-brings-emmy-nominations-to-wesh-wftv|archive-date=2016-03-31|url-status=dead}}

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Category:1976 births

Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni

Category:Florida State University College of Law alumni

Category:Living people

Category:American writers of Vietnamese descent

Category:American women journalists of Asian descent

Category:American investigative journalists

Category:American women television journalists

Category:American women lawyers

Category:Public defenders