May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. This month is dedicated to celebrating me and my people, so let’s bring on the confetti and the champagne!

Confetti and champagne aside, this month is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the many cultural backgrounds that make up the Asian American and Pacific Islander identities. As the fastest-growing group in the country, it is imperative that our struggles, achievements, and contributions are recognized. 

But why is it imperative to acknowledge the struggles, achievements, and contributions of AAPIs?

AAPIs have a rich history and have made significant contributions to the United States. From building the transcontinental railroad to fighting for civil rights, AAPIs have played a crucial role in shaping American society.

Historically, AAPIs have faced discrimination and exclusion, from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to the Japanese American internment during World War II to the 77% rise in hate crimes against AAPIs during the COVID-19 pandemic. By acknowledging these ongoing AAPI struggles, we can work towards addressing the underlying causes of discrimination and promoting social justice to create a more equitable society for all. 

One of these underlying causes of discrimination is that AAPIs have often been stereotyped as the "model minority" or “perpetual foreigners.” The stereotype of Asians as the "model minority" is a harmful generalization that assumes all Asians are high-achieving, hardworking, and obedient to authority. While it may seem like a compliment on the surface, this stereotype can lead to discrimination. Overall, the “model minority” stereotype is detrimental because it oversimplifies the experiences and identities of Asians, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and creates a false dichotomy between minority groups.

When the model minority myth is perpetuated, it can create tension between AAPIs and other underprivileged groups, as it pits them against each other like the Korean American-Black conflict during the L.A. riots in 1992, and creates a false hierarchy of oppression. This can lead to feelings of resentment, isolation, and mistrust, which can ultimately impede efforts to build solidarity and work towards achieving social justice for all communities. 

By highlighting their achievements, we can challenge these harmful stereotypes and recognize the diversity and complexity of the AAPI community. We can also appreciate the value of diversity and work towards creating a more inclusive society.

AAPIs have made significant contributions to various fields, including science, technology, literature, art, and politics. I want to take a minute to highlight just a few notable AAPI luminaries throughout history.

Notable AAPI Figures Who Made Significant Contributions in U.S. History

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_Lee_(diver)

Dr. Sammy Lee (1920 - 2016)

Dr. Sammy Lee was a Korean American diver who became the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States. He won the gold medal in the men's 10-meter platform diving event at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, and again at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. In addition to his athletic achievements, Dr. Lee was also a pioneer in the field of medicine. He went on to serve in the United States Army Medical Corps during the Korean War and later became an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and was known for his work in treating children with hearing impairments. Throughout his life, Dr. Lee was a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in sports and medicine, and he served as a mentor to many aspiring athletes and medical professionals. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1990, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1968.

Image: https://historycambridge.org/articles/savoring-the-legacy-of-joyce-chen/

Joyce Chen (1917 - 1994)

Joyce Chen was a Chinese-American chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur who is credited with popularizing Chinese cuisine in the United States. She introduced Americans to dishes such as Peking duck, moo shu pork, and hot and sour soup, and also invented the flat-bottom wok, which made Chinese cooking more accessible to American home cooks. In addition to her successful restaurant, Chen also wrote several cookbooks and hosted a cooking show on public television. She was a pioneer in the field of Chinese cooking and helped to educate Americans about the rich culinary traditions of China. Her legacy continues to be celebrated in the culinary world, and her contributions to the popularization of Chinese cuisine in the United States are widely recognized.

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabel_Ping-Hua_Lee#/media/File:Dr._Mabel_P._Lee_LCCN2014715831_(cropped).jpg

Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee (1896-1966)

Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee was a Chinese-American activist, suffragist, and educator who played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She joined the Women's Political Equality League and participated in suffrage parades and protests. After earning a PhD in economics from Columbia University in 1921, Lee worked as an educator and advocate for women's rights. She served as the president of the Chinese Christian Center in New York City, where she worked to improve conditions for Chinese immigrants and promote cultural exchange between China and the United States. She is remembered as a pioneering figure in the struggle for women's suffrage and a trailblazer for women of color in the United States.

Image: Unknown Author https://www.loc.gov/item/2022638134/

Patsy Mink (1927 –2002)

Patsy Mink was an American politician and lawyer who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for a total of 12 terms, representing Hawaii's 1st and 2nd congressional districts. She was the first woman of color to be elected to Congress and was a pioneer in the fight for gender and racial equality. She was first elected to Congress in 1964, and during her tenure, she co-authored Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which prohibits gender discrimination in education. Mink was also a strong advocate for civil rights, social justice, and the environment, and was a founding member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Her legacy as a trailblazing politician and advocate for equality lives on.

Image: NASA - https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/chawla_kalpana.pdf

Kalpana Chawla (1962 - 2003)

Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-American astronaut and the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. Kalpana was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1994 and became the first Indian woman to go to space in 1997 as part of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. She later went on another space mission in 2003 as part of the crew of the ill-fated Space Shuttle Columbia. Kalpana Chawla was a role model and inspiration for many, and her legacy continues to inspire young people, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM fields. She was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, NASA Space Flight Medal, and NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

AAPI Women are Changing the World as We Speak

There are so many AAPI luminaries throughout history to honor this AAPI Heritage Month, but we cannot forget about the many AAPI women who are changing the world right now. 

To name just a few of these incredible women:

Image: http://www.amytan.net/

Amy Tan, Chinese American Author

Tan is known for her novels that explore the experiences of Chinese Americans and the complex relationships between mothers and daughters. Tan's best-known work is her debut novel, The Joy Luck Club, which was published in 1989. The novel tells the story of four Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters, exploring the cultural and generational gaps between them. The book became a best-seller and was later adapted into a film. Tan has received numerous awards for her writing, including the National Book Award and the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award. She is also a member of the Rock Bottom Remainders, a band composed of famous authors such as Stephen King and Dave Barry.

Image: Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, October 2018

Tammy Duckworth, Thai American Army Veteran and U.S. Senator

Duckworth was born in Bangkok, Thailand, to an American father and a Thai mother of Chinese descent. She is a veteran of the Iraq War and was a helicopter pilot in the United States Army. In 2004, while serving in Iraq, her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, causing her to lose both of her legs and suffer other injuries. She was awarded a Purple Heart for her service. After retiring from the military, Duckworth became involved in politics. She served as the director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and was later elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2016, Duckworth became the first Asian American woman elected to Congress from Illinois. As a senator, Duckworth has focused on issues related to veterans, health care, and women's rights. She is also a strong advocate for disability rights and has worked to improve access to education and employment for people with disabilities. In addition, Duckworth is a mother of two and is known for bringing her infant daughter onto the Senate floor during votes, which led to a rule change allowing senators to bring their children onto the floor.

Image: Lawrence Jackson - https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/vice-president-harris/

Kamala Harris, Tamil American Vice President of the United States

Harris is the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to hold the office of Vice President in the United States. Prior to serving as Vice President, Harris was the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017, and a United States Senator representing California from 2017 to 2021. During her time as Senator, Harris served on several committees, including the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on the Budget. Harris has been an advocate for criminal justice reform, immigration reform, and healthcare reform throughout her career. She has also been a vocal supporter of women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights.

By highlighting these AAPI individuals, we can challenge the notion that AAPIs are a monolithic group and recognize our immense diversity and complexity. When AAPI accomplishments are recognized and celebrated, it can also inspire future generations of diverse AAPI luminaries to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence. 

AAPI Heritage Month: 6 Ways Companies Can Celebrate

1. Host an event

Companies can organize an event to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. The event can include AAPI leaders as guest speakers, AAPI employees sharing their stories, and cultural activities. It can also be a cultural fair, food festival, music, and dance performance, art exhibit, or workshop about AAPI history and culture.

2. Recognize AAPI employees

Companies can recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of their AAPI employees. This can include highlighting their work in company newsletters, social media, or hosting an employee spotlight series.

3. Partner with AAPI organizations
Companies can partner with AAPI organizations to support their work and raise awareness about their cause. This can be through donations, volunteering, or collaboration on projects.

Here is a list of a few organizations you can partner with and make contributions to:

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)
• National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF)
• Asian Mental Health Collective
• Stop AAPI Hate

4. Educate employees

Companies can educate their employees about AAPI history, culture, and contributions to society. This can be done through workshops, training sessions, or guest speakers.

The American Bar Association is celebrating AAPI month through education. They created an informative presentation that features Asian American and Pacific Island leaders in activism and the legal profession. The ABA Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council launched a 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge that is open to everyone. This concept was conceived by Eddie Moore, Jr., a diversity expert, and the program is designed to help people develop a daily habit of learning and taking action toward racial equity. The curriculum involves reading, watching, or listening to a resource about racial equity. Participants then engage in daily activity or reflection related to the topic.

5. Amplify AAPI voices

Companies can amplify AAPI voices by promoting AAPI-owned businesses, highlighting AAPI influencers and thought leaders, and sharing AAPI stories on their social media platforms. Disney is highlighting and celebrating Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders all month long through the power of storytelling, iconic brands, creative minds, and innovative technologies. 

Here are some notable ways Disney is celebrating as per their website:

• Disney+ brings Asian American and Pacific Islander-led narratives to the forefront on coming-of-age stories through Asian and Pacific Islander Stories featuring titles such as American Born Chinese, Chang Can Dunk, and Ms. Marvel.
• Disney celebrates AAPI talent and Asian destinations with National Geographic channels, including Ancient China from Above and Access 360, Restaurants at the End of the World, and Lost Cities with Albert Lin and Free Solo.
• Disney-owned ABC News will have a network special, “Rising Together”, streaming the next day on Hulu, which will cover the historic year for Asians and Asian Americans in Hollywood and the rise of Asian talent over the years.

6. Create a safe and inclusive workplace

Companies can create a safe and inclusive workplace for their AAPI employees by implementing anti-discrimination policies and providing resources for employees to report incidents of discrimination. Companies can also create an AAPI ERG (Employee Resource Group) to provide a space for AAPI employees to connect, share their experiences, and celebrate their culture.

These are just a few examples of how companies can celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. It's important to note that celebrating diversity and inclusion should not be limited to a specific month or event, but should be an ongoing effort to create a more equitable and welcoming workplace.

Now bring back the confetti and the champagne! Let’s talk about how your company is celebrating AAPI Heritage Month. I’d love to hear all about it at sandy.ko@cmpteam.com 

If you are an AAPI woman and find it hard to find a community where you feel like you belong, you are not alone! In our CCWomen community, we welcome women who look like me and allies who want to support women who look like me. Because at CCWomen we know that the power of community and the power of celebration can make a difference. Our membership portal launches in June— click on the photo above to be first in line!