Raised in Michigan and Arizona, Essie has had lifelong interests in history, genealogy, books, travel, other cultures and languages.  Essie was the first ever non-Chinese volunteer at the Hawai’i Chinese Christian Mission Gospel Center, where she taught English as a New Language and programs for local children when public schools were furloughed.  She also teaches high school and middle school public speaking classes.   Essie worked as a census worker in Honolulu’s Asian American communities, seeking to ensure accurate representation.  As a physician assistant she practiced medicine in Korea and volunteered in Thailand and The Philippines.  She has a minor in history from The University of Arizona.  She is married to Hsin-Fu Wu and has two sons who have gone to school and been homeschooled.  The Giant Panda has always been her favorite animal.