May is Asian – Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
May 5, 2023
May is Asian – Pacific Islander
American Heritage Month
This montage includes some of the Asian- Pacific Islander American women we have honored for National Women’s History Month. The date in parenthesis is the year that she was honored.
Row I Karen Narasaki (2018), Tsuyako “Sox” Kitashima ( 1995),
Judy Yung,(2015), Queen Liliuokalani (1985, 1989), Tammy Duckworth,( 2014)
Row 2, Mabel Ping-Hua Lee (2020), Maxine Hong Kingston( 2004),
Yuri Kochiyama (2003), Jade Snow Wong(1991), Yoshiko Uchida (1999)
Row 3 Saru Jayaraman( 2018), Chien-Shiung Wu( 1984), Jaida Im (2014),
Patsy Mink ( 1986, 1992, 1998, 2002), Terry Ao Minnis (2020),Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month got its start as a congressional bill, inspired by Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Week, with the mission of bringing attention to the contributions Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have made to the history and culture of the United States.
But did you know the whole thing was inspired by the work of two dedicated women? Jeanie Jew and Ruby Moy, who work on Capital Hill, spearheaded a campaign to get congressional support for their cause.
As a result of their lobbying, in June 1977 Reps. Frank Horton (NY) and Norman Y. Mineta (CA) introduced a resolution that called for the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye (HI) and Spark Matsunaga (HI) introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed. On October 5, 1978, President Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating an annual celebration.
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension turning it into a month-long celebration. And in 1992, the official designation of May as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month was signed into law.
A well-recommended resource is Amazing: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Inspire Us All.
From Olympic ice dancing medalists Alex and Maia Shibutani (aka the ShibSibs), this beautifully illustrated picture book highlights the achievements of many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have made invaluable contributions to the world. Written by Maia and Alex Shibutani and Dane Liu
Spring Cleaning and Archival Treasure Auction May 15th
Thank you for all your auction donations. We now have so many autographed collectibles that perhaps we should have included collectibles in the title.
There is still time to send images of your treasures to nwhp1980@gmail.com.
Sharing your treasure with others helps make Spring Cleaning a little easier and even more purposeful.
The auction will include some one-of-a-kind keepsakes, wall hangings; exquisite and unique memorabilia as well as collections assembled by other women’s history lovers, and, of course, autographed books.
If you have treasures to share, please send image(s) and description(s) of item(s) you would like to donate to nwhp1980@gmail.com
A well-recommended resource is Amazing: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Inspire Us All.
Spring Cleaning and Archival Treasure Auction May 15th
