The year was 2016 and Ray Young was stepping onto a large dirt lot in Dallas, Texas.

This was the same lot she drove by all the time, wondering what it could one day become.

It had a small building attached to it.

That's where the kitchen would go, right? Ray wondered to herself.

As she stepped carefully through the dirt and gravel, Ray could picture it all in her mind's eye.

The twinkling lights and brightly colored murals, the lively music and happy diners chatting.

She could smell the goi guan and nuk mom, the ginger and garlic practically melting on her tongue,

and she could hear her brother sang, greeting people and laughing.

What do you think, the landlord asked her?

Yes, it would take everything Ray had to turn this dirt lot into the restaurant of her dreams.

She'd be giving up her savings, her stability, her newfound calm, but she had to give it a try.

Where do I sign? She said.

I'm Emmy Ray and this is Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, a fairy tale podcast about the real-life Rebel woman who inspire us.

On this episode, Rayna or Ray Young celebrated Chef and advocate for all.

Ray, gonvo, Beth, you Maddie!

That was Ray's mom calling her inside to wash her hands and chop vegetables, again.

Seven-year-old Ray took in a deep breath.

She loved the smell of her mom's homemade savory fishcake sizzling in the pan,

but she was much more excited about digging in the dirt, climbing trees and running around the yard.

Ever since her family immigrated from Vietnam to Long Beach, California,

Ray only wanted to romp and explore outside, and she had a dear baby brother to be her playmate.

His name was Sang, and he was the 12th in the Duong family.

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