67-year-old sweeps SF streets, raises 3 grandkids while smiling, and becomes viral video sensation

Few stories impact readers as much as those about an ordinary, often overlooked person doing extraordinary things. Suu Ngo is that person. She is also the subject of the most-watched video in the history of the San Francisco Chronicle, reaching 11.3 million people around the world this week alone, generating over 5,000 comments, 41,000 shares, and spurring people to take action because of her story.

"We pass by people on the sidewalk like Suu all the time, but I think this story resonates because we're given a glimpse into her vibrant interior life, her hardships, her importance to the people around her and her motivations in life," said photojournalist Erin Brethauer about the video column featuring Ngo, called The Regulars, co-produced with Tim Hussin.

Watch the video here and continue reading about how Chronicle documentarian Erin Brethauer discovered her story.

Ngo is a 67-year-old Vietnamese immigrant who came to America as a single mother of two. After raising her kids on her own, her 33-year-old daughter died, and she took in her three grandchildren to raise today. She even manages to send money home to her own mother, now 97 years old.

"Being single mom really difficult, but I strong," Ngo said with a thick accent. "Buddha and God keep me strong, then I can do it."

Her independent, determined nature keeps her going. When she felt her restaurant boss wasn't respecting her, she quit, marched into San Francisco City Hall, and asked for a job.

"I say I need to take care of my grandkids because my grandkids, no parents. I need to work. I need to take care of my family. I say please give me a job, any job. I can clean restroom, anything. They say, you sure you wanna work cleaning the street? Maybe one week, two week, they hire me right away."

While her work involved sweeping up trash along the city streets, her influence on those she encounters goes far beyond the bristles of her broom.

"Every week, Tim and I strive to tell stories like this through the column--stories about everyday people that surprise, spark curiosity and show intimacy," said Brethauer.

"While it's important that we as journalists document the hard news and pains of society, it's important to celebrate humanity. Everyday stories like these show that we're all human, deserving of dignity and respect. It's up to us as columnists for The Regulars to figure out the best way to share those stories through our videos. This often means listening carefully and digging beyond the surface."

Brethauer is a journalist with an eye for video and photos, and she enjoys the privilege of looking beyond the headlines to tell people's stories. She, and The Regulars co-producer Tim Hussin also produced the first feature-length documentary from the Chronicle, Last Men Standing.

"We're always looking for good leads on interesting people. Oftentimes, the person's story unfolds when you ask questions and really listen," she wrote in an email interview with SFGATE.

"Suu was welcoming and open to having me follow her around so we decided to meet the next day at her apartment in Chinatown before she headed off to work," Brethauer said. "Being invited into someone's home is a gesture of trust and I'm grateful Suu was open to sharing a bit of her life."

Suu Ngo, 67, cleans the sidewalks and streets along Irving Street on Thursday, July 21, 2016 in San Francisco, Calif. Ngo, who is originally from Vietnam, has been cleaning the streets for the Department of Public Works for the past five years since leaving the restaurant business after 27 years. "I'm happy here," she says of her cleaning route which starts at 9th and Irving, "Everybody is nice to me, respects me." Ngo works to help support her three grandchildren who she raised after her daughter died. less Suu Ngo, 67, cleans the sidewalks and streets along Irving Street on Thursday, July 21, 2016 in San Francisco, Calif. Ngo, who is originally from Vietnam, has been cleaning the streets for the Department of ... more Photo: Erin Brethauer, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Erin Brethauer, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close 67-year-old sweeps SF streets, raises 3 grandkids while smiling, and becomes viral video sensation 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

The video column is more than just a job for Brethauer and Hussin. She describes it more as a mission,

"We believe that much can be gained when people open up about their lives and share their stories. It creates understanding, empathy and appreciation while building connections between the people in our communities and abroad."

READ: The original story of Suu Ngo

Brethauer reminds us that people like Ngo are everywhere.

"I'm glad Suu's story resonates with so many people. I hope her infectious optimism and openness reminds us to look around, appreciate our neighbors and remember that we all have a story to share."

The story was widely discussed in Chronicle staff emails.

The inspiration may have been best articulated by SFChronicle.com Executive Producer Tim O'Rourke, who wrote simply, "Be a better human. Be like Suu."

The Regulars comes out every Monday online. The San Francisco Chronicle is SFGATE's sister publication in print and via the premium website and iOS app. Reach the producers at regulars@sfchronicle.com.