Just before the ninth anniversary of 9/11, the mother of Chinese-American hero Zhe “Zack” Zeng spoke publicly about her journey through heartbreak and healing. Her son lost his life on 9/11 saving others during the attacks on the World Trade Center, a tragedy that shattered her world. Yet through years of volunteer work and community service, she found strength, purpose — and a way to honor his memory.
Today, the name Zhe Zeng lives on not only in the hearts of those he helped, but on a street sign in New York’s Chinatown — one of the few named after an Asian American 9/11 hero.
A selfless act that cost him everything
Zhe Zeng was only 28 when he died in the line of compassion. A native of Guangzhou, he immigrated to the U.S. with his family at the age of 15. He went on to graduate with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Rochester and later earned an MBA. By 2001, he was working as a manager at the Bank of New York, located at 1 Wall Street, helping foreign companies list on the U.S. stock exchange.
When the World Trade Center was hit, Zeng — also a trained volunteer lifeguard — evacuated safely. But instead of fleeing, he ran back toward danger to help the injured. Minutes later, the towers collapsed. Zeng never made it out. His bravery might have gone unnoticed had it not been for footage captured by FOX News, which later revealed his heroic efforts.
The New York Times would later describe him as “completely selfless,” calling his sacrifice the very definition of heroism.
A mother’s world shattered, and slowly rebuilt
Zeng’s mother, Cen Jiaoxian, was devastated. The grief was so consuming that her weight dropped to just 88 pounds on a 5’3” frame. “I couldn’t stop crying,” she recalled. But over time, she discovered that the only way to truly honor her son’s memory was to keep living — fully and generously.
Community support poured in. Friends and strangers alike reached out to comfort her, and gradually, she began to see that love still surrounded her. “My son gave his life helping others. I want to continue that legacy,” she said.
She began volunteering at a local senior center five days a week. No longer defined only by sorrow, her days became filled with laughter, dance, and meaningful service. At 66, Cen discovered unexpected talents — singing, dancing, and an enthusiasm that earned praise from her dance instructor, who called her a “true hero’s mother” and a quick learner.
A street named for a son, a legacy carried by a mother
In 2004, three years after the attacks, a corner in New York’s Chinatown was named “Zhe ‘Zack’ Zeng Way,” honoring the young man who gave everything to help others. Located at the intersection of Bayard and Mulberry Streets, it remains the only 9/11 commemorative street in the city named after an Asian American.
Standing beneath the street sign, Cen still feels the ache of loss — but also the pride. Her son’s legacy has become her guiding light.
“I didn’t advertise myself,” she says. “But when you serve others, people notice. When you carry love in your heart, people feel it.”
Giving back: From quiet grief to powerful action
Cen’s impact has extended far beyond the senior center. In 2007, she co-founded the Chinese American National Hero Fund, created in memory of her son and another fallen hero, U.S. Army Specialist Allen Lin, who died in Iraq. The fund helps support Chinese American families affected by national tragedies and encourages civic engagement.
She also volunteers with the U.S. Civilian Emergency Response Team, continuing her son’s mission to protect and uplift others in need.
In interviews, Cen often credits her own mother, who now lives in Boston, for helping her get through the darkest times. “My mom has lived through hardship her whole life and never gave in to fate,” she says. “She kept telling me: you’re not alone. There are people out there who are worse off. You have to keep going.”
That shift in perspective — acknowledging the world’s broader suffering — helped Cen lift herself from despair. She didn’t erase her grief, but she transformed it into empathy.
Life after loss: Choosing hope
Although no mother should ever have to bury her child, Cen Jiaoxian has become a symbol of resilience and grace. She believes that the departed would never want us to live in sorrow, and that the best way to honor them is by living fully and joyfully.
Her transformation — from a mourning mother to an award-winning volunteer and community leader — is not just a tribute to her son, but a reflection of the strength that can arise from unimaginable loss.
“In living, there is hope,” she says. “And where there is hope, there is always a path forward.”
Translated article
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