Inspired by Michael Chang, Hu was among the first few Asian American parents to participate in PTAs. In 1994, she co-founded the Asian American Parents Association, to help educate newcomers about America's educational systems. The AAPA meets with the school superintendents every quarter to communicate its needs and review programs. One of the organization's early achievements was to add a supplement about Asian history to CUSD's fourth-grade social studies curriculum.

To promote racial harmony, Hu started the Lunar New Year Unity Parade in 2003 and has co-chaired the event with city Councilman Richard Lowenthal. Last year, the first-ever parade drew roughly 20,000 people and, as Hu and Lowenthal had hoped, the spectators and participants represented the city's diverse demographics. This year's parade, which will take place Feb. 28, is expected to attract even more people.

"Unity is our goal," says Hu, who moved to Cupertino in 1984. "The logo of our event—featuring six people standing on a bridge holding hands—conveys our hope that the parade can serve as a bridge to bring people of different ethnicities together."

Hu's role as a bridge also shows in her efforts to shape the city's political landscape. Although she has never run for public office herself, Hu has been instrumental in getting many Chinese-Americans elected to local offices. Foothill­De Anza Community College District trustee Paul Fong calls her "the person behind the scene."

She has mobilized Asian Americans to register to vote and taught them how to cast absentee ballots. The tactics have worked well. The politicians she has helped elect include Fong, CUSD board President Ben Liao, former CUSD board member Barry Chang, former Mayor Michael Chang and current Councilwoman Kris Wang. "She never asks anything in return," Fong says. "She is a doer, a supporter for good causes."

When Mayor Sandy James was struggling to get beyond a controversy that had erupted into a racial debate, Hu stood behind James along with other community leaders at a press conference, urging residents to accept James' apology.

Despite her low profile, Hu's contributions didn't go unnoticed. In 2002, she and five other volunteers received the Asian Heroes Awards from Santa Clara County Supervisor Lis Kniss. This year, the Chamber of Commerce gave the Business Community Bridge Award to the Lunar New Year Unity Parade Committee.

Hu is humble about the recognition. "Volunteering makes me a better person," she says.

She has been passionate about serving the community since her college years. When she was a student at National Taiwan University, she was a member of a service club and tutored children at an orphanage once a week.

About 20 years ago, she came to the United States for further studies. She first studied education at Mississippi University for Women and later transferred to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received a master's degree in education. Because it was hard to find a job in the educational field, Hu later got a master's degree in business administration and became a stockbroker.

In many people's eyes, Hu is a superwoman, capable of juggling work, community services and family life. Friends say what's special about Hu is that she can still look good and do everything gracefully. Hu goes to a beauty parlor every week and updates her wardrobe regularly so she always appears with a glamorous puffy hairstyle and flawless makeup. And though outspoken, she speaks slowly and softly.

"Like any organization, people within AAPA have different ideas of what to do, but Michelle has great communication skills. She gets people to focus on issues without offending them," says Jeff Moe, co-president of the AAPA.

But after serving the community for 10 years, Hu has to bid farewell to Cupertino temporarily. In late March, she will move to Taiwan with her husband, Jackson. He recently got a job offer there. The family will spend most of the time in Taiwan.

"I will be satisfied if she can stay here six months a year," Fong says. "What Michelle can do in six months is more than what most people can do in their lifetime."