Central California
Asian Pacific Women
difference as we look toward our next 30 years. We
are equally inspired by the energy of young, emerging
women leaders sparked by a CCAPW scholarship as we
are by the longstanding dedication of our established
community leaders. Our leaders continue to motivate
us to strive toward our goals of leadership and equality for API women. Thank you for being a part of
CCAPW history!
Dear Friends and Members:
Happy 30th Anniversary
At 30 years CCAPW has come a
long way in its relative short history. We owe our gratitude to a
visionary group of founders who
grasped a grassroots model of organizing like-minded individuals to
address needs in our community.
After almost 30 years CCAPW boasts
a list of accomplishments:
• Since our inception in 1980, CCAPW has
awarded over $93,500 in scholarships funds to Asian Pacific Islander
(API) young women who are either high school graduates or continuing
college students in our seven-county area of the Central Valley.
• CCAPW has collaborated with numerous organizations to engage API
communities in civic leadership opportunities.
• We’ve engaged young emerging women leaders and encouraged them
to assume leadership roles not only to promote grassroots leadership,
but also as a strategy for organizational sustainability.
See a complete list of historical activities at www.ccapw.org
Congratulations to all of us for helping to make the most of
CCAPW’s 30-year history! The thousands of volunteer hours
and donations – large and small alike – collectively make a
Mai Der Vang
President
Gena Lew Gong
Vice President
Rita Bawanan Merzoian
Financial Officer/Treasurer
Wanda Hasadsri
Secretary
2009 Holiday Celebration
2009 Board Directors from left to right: Gena Lew Gong, Marlene Kubota,
Rita Bawanan Merzoian, Xee Yang, Maggie Thao, Mai Der Vang, Roberta
Barton, Debbie Tom, and Wanda Hasadsri. Not pictured: Valerie Davis,
Michelle Her, and Bernice Kao
December 2009
Board of
Directors
To inaugurate our 30th celebration year, our holiday
luncheon on Saturday, December 5, 2009, will kick off
a year of activities in 2010. We expect the mood to
be lively as members share their stories. Incoming
board president-elect, Roberta Barton, will spotlight
2010. CCAPW will swear in 2010 officers and new board
members and thank directors completing their board service.
More information is on page 5 and in the enclosed flyer.
Join us in 2010
We are in the planning
stages of an ambitious year
in 2010. Board members,
past presidents, and members
have been forming committees in the last half of 2009
as we solidify a plan of
activity for our 30th anniversary year. Look for more
announcements about our
upcoming events:
2010 July Scholarship Luncheon July is scholarship month. Join us as we once
again honor our scholarship recipients at our July luncheon.
2010 December Holiday 30th Anniversary Party. The
holiday gathering also helps us continue to foster relationships with our members and supporters and create a
space where members can meet and network with one
another. And it gives us a chance to celebrate and give
back to the community!
Other events will be planned in commemoration of this 30th
anniversary milestone.
(continued on page back page)
Roberta Barton
Valerie Davis
Michelle Her
Bernice Kao
Marlene Kubota
Maggie Thao
Debbie Tom
Xee Yang
CCAPW
Presidents
19801980-81 Mae Takahashi
(1936(1936-2001)
1982 Jo Ellen Ichihana
1983 Thelma P. Haw
1984 Jeanette Ishii
1985 Celeese Kai
1986 Deborah Ikeda
1987 Laurie Wong
1988 Cathy Tokubo
1989 Nani Rabago (1923(1923-2006)
1990 Veena Kapoor
1991 Julia Pucay
1992 Ling Cho
1993 Edna Pucay
19941994-95 Dorothy Pucay
19951995-97 Yupayong Thirakomen
19981998-99 Judith Simuns
20002000-01 Sandra Moy
2002 Loretta Seina
2003 Michelle Abenoja
20042004-07 Debbie Tom
20072007-09 Mai Der Vang
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 2
CCAPW Activities
• Regarding the Washington Advocacy trip, a select group
from California should take an advocacy trip to Washington
DC. We have several API members in the Cabinet but
they are not from California. Although there are funding
issues for the cost of the trip, support from TCE or Senator
Barbara Boxer’s office or Congressman Costa’s office might
be available.
• The Complete Count Committee’s participation in the
Census will have a broad impact. Members of this forum
need to be involved. We need to make sure the city and
our community does its part to collect data/info related
to API in the valley. It is difficult to obtain these data
but funding is available.
API community members made the following announcements:
ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
July 7, 2009
Fresno City Hall
(From left to right) Xee Yang,
Bernice Kao, Fresno Mayor
Ashley Swearingin, Councilmember Blong Xiong,
Debbie Tom and Maggie
Thao after the API Leadership Council meeting.
(This information is summarized from the minutes of the Asian Pacific Islander Leadership
Council [API Leadership Council] provided by Maiyer Vang of Councilmember’s Xiong’s office.
If you would like to receive these minutes in their entirety and/or be on a regular listserv to
receive notices of these quarterly meetings, please contact Maiyer Vang at maiyervang81@yahoo.com.)
The quarterly forum of API voices facilitated by Councilmember Blong Xiong
met on July 7, 2009 sponsored by Rama Dawar. Councilmember Xiong updated the forum on activities at Fresno City Hall. A summary of his review
follows:
• Fresno City passed its budget (tentatively). If the state budget is not balanced, it
will add 3 billion dollars to the deficit we already have.
• The Mayor’s Citizen’s Academy is a 7-week course. This course outlines what
each department in the city does. We need to offer a shorter course for our
community.
• The city will do outreach by participating in a 30 minute radio talk show about
city issues and awareness to the community.
• UC Medical School: API shortage in medical school. Use momentum to push
community input, encourage participation in discussion, build our own capacity
and get members involved.
• The funds from the James Irvine Foundation have been reduced from 10 million
to 8 million to 7.9 million. Councilmember Xiong encourages service organizations to ask for capacity building funding. If the service organizations apply for
the grant through a collaborative effort, they have a better chance of receiving
the funding. Debbie Tom commented that only selected organizations will be
invited to apply.
• Peter Vang shared that the Office of Refugee Resettlement
has a new director. We [API Leadership Council] need to
be part of the discussion to advocate for more funding
in the Valley.
• Lue N. Yang commented on the Complete Count of Census
2010. We need to advocate to specify identification on
Asians such as the subgroups: Hmong, Lao, Khmer, etc.
The data will be useful if we have an accurate count.
We need to motivate the community to register. If one
person accounts for $3,000 federal dollars, we need to
ensure complete count.
• There is a correction on the community calendar. The
Obon Festival is on July 11 and not July 18th.
• Xee Yang from CCAPW invites everyone to attend scholar-
ship event on Saturday, July 25, 2009.
• Harry Gill announced Independence Day for India celebra-
tion is August 15th. Time and place to be announced.
• “Hmong Voices” is currently documenting Hmong history
to preserve our culture. They are looking for Storytellers.
• Debbie Tom announced Assemblymember Juan Arambula’s
Latino Heritage Awards. Nominations are still open to
Latinos living in the 31st Assembly District and are due
August 7th. The event is on August 17th, 5-6:30 pm at
Arte Americas.
• David Xiong from Txhawb is looking for suggestions/ideas
for a new magazine.
• Dr. Kapoor thanks Councilmember Xiong for the API
Leadership Council and the community at large for focusing on issues that faces our community. The API community has grown and is diverse. It is important to see the diverse faces in decision making body to help our
community on a larger scale.
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 3
CCAPW Activities
Blong introduced Mayor Ashley Swearengin by briefly
describing her work and how fortunate we are to
have her leadership. Councilmember Xiong asked
the Mayor to make a commitment to come to activities; her presence will show her willingness to
work with our diverse community. The data/
statistics for API is a challenge to obtain. We need
to encourage involvement.
Mayor Swearingin’s address included
comments on the following:
• The Mayor thanked Councilmember Xiong for the work
he has done with the API community.
• Although the State budget is a mess, Fresno is at a
critical point.
• Mayor Autry opened doors that shine a light in our
community and that have inspired confidence.
• Other Fresno City Hall issues include: the environment and
growth, poverty, collaboration of local government, the
community and the private and public sectors, public
safety and revitalization of neighborhoods.
Community members questioned the Mayor on a
variety of issues including:
• Economic vitality partnership among businesses and
government
• City services needs to address language diversity.
• Creation of an entertainment center in the city
to showcase our cultural community.
Next meeting will be Thursday, November 12, 2009
at 6 p.m. with special guest, Congressman Jim
Costa.
SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON
July 25, 2009
The Vintage Dining Room on the campus of CSU
Fresno welcomed 2009 scholarship
recipients, their families and friends,
and CCAPW members as we celebrated our annual
awards on July 25, 2009. Mistress of Ceremonies,
Maggie Thao, opened the ceremony by introducing
special guests and congratulating our supporters as
we prepared to award $10,000 to outstanding young
women as they started or continued their educational
pursuits.
This six-month scholarship competition opens early in
the year and ends in June when we read and
evaluation the applications. Each year we are inspired by the quality of the
applications and the thoughtfulness of applicants’ hopes and dreams. These
scholarships are our investments in the future leaders of our community.
After a short CCAPW business meeting, president Mai Der Vang introduced
guest speaker, Dr. Ellen Junn, Associate Provost at CSU Fresno. Dr. Junn’s
comments reflect her memories of “Growing Up Asian in America”. Ellen
shared census data about Asians in the U.S. and focused on how diverse we
are encompassing 28 different countries of origin. She emphasized the power
of personal stories. She shared her early memories of growing up with traditions of another culture but assimilating “American values” in a ‘melting pot’
society. She talked about her family’s value of education. Her story inspired
us as each of us has a unique individual history of culture, traditions, and
values.
After lunch, Scholarship Chair, Rita Bawanan Merzoian, introduced each of the
recipients and asked each to introduce their special guests and share their
educational and career plans. Every year we are impressed by the outstanding young women, their ambition and poise, and the encouragement
they give us to continue this valuable scholarship program.
Mae Takahashi Scholarship:
Suzanna Ivy Vang, Hmong, from Edison High School will study Physical Therapy at
CSU Fresno.
Joan M. Agustin Memorial Scholarship:
Lee Vang, Hmong, from Merced High School will study Child Development at CSU
Sacramento.
CCAPW General Scholarships:
See Vang, Hmong, from Sunnyside High School will study Pediatric Neuropsychology at
Brown University
Chong Yang, Hmong, from Sunnyside High School will study Psychology at Brown
University
Kaozong Nancy Mouavangsou, Hmong, from Hoover High School will study Law at UC
Davis
Abbygail Wahyudi Williams, Indonesian/Chinese/African American, from Buchanan High
School will study Political Science/International Relations at UC Davis
Dao Thao, Hmong, will continue her Liberal Studies at CSU Fresno
Hashroop Kaur Gurm, Indian, from Clovis East High School will study Molecular & Cell
Biology at UC Berkeley
LiAnn Toshimi Ishizuka, Chinese/Japanese American, from Edison High School will
study International Development Studies at UCLA
Maitria Moua, Hmong, from Edison High School will study Political Science at UC
Berkeley
The luncheon was followed by a tour of the new CSU Fresno Henry Madden
Library. Hiromi Kubo, Librarian, escorted an enthusiastic group to the newly
remodeled state-of-the-art library.
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 4
CCAPW Activities
Elder Women's Initiative
AGEnda for Action:
Building a Movement for Elder
Women's Advocacy
In September of 2008, CCAPW participated on a Local Planning Committee to
organize a Fresno Speak Out. On this committee were CCAPW board members,
Geri Yang, Mai Der Vang and Debbie Tom. Due to their outreach efforts, more
than 25% of the participants at the Fresno Speak Out were API women
(Cambodian, Chinese, Hmong, Filipino, Japanese, Lao and Thai). Prior to the
Fresno Speak Out, a small group of API women came together on August 21 at
an impromptu “CCAPW August Potluck” to share a meal and mutual concerns
and insights on aging. They noted that a positive attitude is important, and
that, “Asian and Pacific Islander cultures promote and maintain multigenerational households.” This is a ‘best practice’ model for aging in place
that many API families wish to sustain. From this dinner discussion, Debbie
Tom prepared and submitted testimony at the Speak Out. In October of 2009,
the Women’s Foundation of California released their publication focusing on
elder women. The following are excerpts from the WFC website and from the
work, AGEnda for Action: Building a Movement for Elder Women’s Advocacy.
For a full copy of this publication, go to www.womensfoundca.org.
AGEnda for Action: Building a Movement for Elder Women's Advocacy
California's aging population is rapidly increasing in number and diversity, and
is expected to double in size by 2030. The ongoing recession and state budget
crisis continue to cripple California’s economy and the state’s ability to fund
essential safety net programs relied upon by elders. Elder women are further
vulnerable in terms of health and economic security due to their roles as caregivers and wage earners. The Elder Women’s Initiative was launched in 2008 to
build a movement led by elder women and their allies to address these issues
and generate solutions. This report presents the Initiative’s findings and provides
recommendations for how funders, policymakers, and advocates can ensure all
Californians age with well-being, dignity and economic security. As part of this
vision, the Women’s Foundation of California is proud to present the Executive
Summary of this report as a free download in five languages: Simplified Chinese,
Hmong, Khmer, Korean, and Spanish.
Below is an excerpt which describes some of the work CCAPW is advocating in
the Central San Joaquin Valley:
• The Fresno Speak-Out included a focus on elder women with limited English proficiency and their need for interpretation services, particularly in health care settings.
Testimonials came from Cambodian and Hmong elders, as well as a group of Spanishspeaking elders. Because the Central Valley is the most rural of the regions where
sessions took place, speakers also emphasized issues of isolation and the need for
transportation. One participant noted, “We are a network of women and men—
various Asian ethnicities—Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Hmong, Japanese, Korean,
Thai, Vietnamese and others. We are immigrants, new Americans, second-, third-,
fourth-generation Americans. Our newest members will be in their 20s and 30s, plus
we’ll have seniors in their 70s and 80s. In preparation for today, we discussed
getting old. I hope this is the beginning of much needed organizing to take action.
My recommendations for the Women’s Foundation include helping us access ways
to reach out and participate in movement building—toward action research and
document changing demographics in the Central Valley. I hope the Foundation will
continue to facilitate the collaboration of these efforts.”
Congratulations to our local representatives who contributed to this landmark
publication:
FRESNO LOCAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
Cathy Caples, HandsOn Central California
Lilia Chavez, League of Mexican American Women
Robbie Cranch, HandsOn Central California
Frances Contreras, Fresno–Madera Area Agency on Aging
Reverend Sophia DeWitt, Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries
Francine Farber, League of Women Voters of Fresno
Estela Galvan, Pan Valley Institute
Larry Gonzales, The California Endowment
Edie Jessup, Fresno Metro Ministry
Van Lam, Khmer Society of Fresno
Sherry McMurry, Central California Legal Services
Luisa Medina, Central California Legal Services
Yolanda Moreno, Together for California’s Future
Yolanda Randles, West Fresno Health Care Coalition
Margarita Rocha, Centro La Familia Advocacy Services
Reverend Sharon Stanley, Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries
Janet Trapp Slagter, PhD, California State University, Fresno
Debbie Tom, Central California Asian Pacific Women
Donna Ueland, California Commission on Aging
Mai Der Vang, Central California Asian Pacific Women; New America Media
Dana Wilkie, Community Food Bank
Geri Yang, Central California Asian Pacific Women; Women’s Foundation of California
MaiKa Yang, Stone Soup Fresno
CENSUS 2010
The Partner Support Program (PSP), formerly known as the In-Kind Program
in Census 2000, supports the outreach efforts of partner organizations. The
purpose of this program is to better reach hard-to-count populations by
establishing relationships with 2010 partner organizations.
The goal of the PSP is to equip a 2010 partner with very specific community materials (printed materials and promotional give-aways). These items
are above and beyond what Census will provide through its normal channels.
CCAPW will work with partner organizations to distribute information and
assist those whose ultimate objective is to elevate awareness about the census and achieve a high rate of return of the 2010 Census questionnaire
within hard-to-count communities.
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 5
CCAPW Activities
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA FORUM
ON REFUGEE AFFAIRS (CCFRA)
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
cordially invites you to attend our
On September 22, 2009 the Central California Forum on Refugee Affairs’ (CCFRA) Annual Scholarship Awards were presented in conjunction with
its 21st Anniversary event. These scholarships are to students of refugee
background and the event raised funds for future students’ scholarships.
2009 Holiday Luncheon
During their 20-year history, CCFRA has provided numerous opportunities and
substantial resources to assist refugees to become self-sufficient and contributing citizens. Through donations and fundraising CCFRA has raised thousands of dollars for student scholarships, which have been used to help
college students of refugee background.
“Telling Our Stories”
CCAPW Board of Directors voted to sponsor the CCFRA scholarship event with
a donation of $50. Congratulations to all CCFRA scholarship recipients.
May Blia Ly and Hiromi Kubo
& Annual Meeting
New CCAPW Board Directors;
CCAPW PresidentPresident-Elect Roberta Barton
Saturday, December 5, 2009
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
November 12, 2009 - API Leadership Council Meeting, Reception with Congressman
Jim Costa
November 20, 2009 - Fresno Center for New Americans Thanksgiving Luncheon
December 5, 2009 - CCAPW Holiday Luncheon
December, 2009 - Christmas Celebration, Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministry
December 26, 2009 – Jan 1, 2010 Fresno Fairgrounds, Hmong International New
Year Celebration
February 1, 2010 CCAPW Scholarship Applications Available
February, 2010 – Chinatown New Year Parade to Celebrate Lunar New Year, Chinatown Revitalization, Inc.
March 2010 – Amerasian Week, CSU Fresno
April, 2010 – Cambodian New Year, Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society
April, 2010 – Lao New Year
April, 2010 – Asian American Heritage Celebration – Fresno City College
May 15, 2010 - CCAPW Scholarship Application Deadline
June, 2010 – California State Refugee Awareness Month, CA Department of Social
Services
July, 2010 – Obon Festival
July, 2010 – CCAPW Scholarship Awards Luncheon
August, 2010 – Floating Lantern Cultural Celebration, Shinzen Japanese Garden
Society, Woodward Park
August 15, 2010 – Independence Day of India
November 5, 2010 – Hindu Festival of Diwali, an annual celebration of truth and
light
(Calendar adapted from the API Leadership Council calendar.)
11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Thai Lao Palace
3815 Willow Avenue
Clovis, CA
(on the Northeast corner of Ashlan & Willow)
$20 per person
Please RSVP by Nov. 25, 2009 to Mai Der Vang
at mdvaj@yahoo.com or (559) 709709-4455.
Holiday Donation Recipient:
Project Access/Fresno Unified School District
Project Access/Fresno Unified School District
Project Access assists families in transition so that their children can maintain stability and achieve success in
school. Staff members help families acquire school and
community resources above and beyond those provided at the school site.
Please bring new, unwrapped coats, jackets, & sweatshirts
for children & teenagers, or cash donations to support this
project.
Every December CCAPW chooses a community project and asks members to bring
donations to present during our holiday luncheon. This donation is optional but
our way to showcase and support worthy projects in our local community. Thanks
in advance for continuing this CCAPW tradition.
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 6
CCAPW News
PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR
THE WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON ASIAN AMERICANS AND
PACIFIC ISLANDERS
Dr. Ellen Junn speaking at the 2009 Scholarship Luncheon.
2010 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY
CCAPW will launch its 2010 scholarship competition on February 1, 2010.
Please request applications by contacting scholarship representative, Rita
Bawanan Merzoian at rmerzoian@sbcglobal.net . Hard copies or electronic
copies will also be available. See www.ccapw.org for more information on
past recipients. The deadline for completed applications is May 15, 2010.
2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CANDIDATES/OFFICERS
The following directors will continue their service on the board and complete their current two-year terms: Roberta Barton, Gena Lew Gong,
Bernice Kao, Marlene Kubota, Maggie Thao,
Thao Mai Der Vang, and Xee Yang
Candidates, both new to the board and seeking additional terms, who will
appear on the 2010 ballot are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Anjali Davis (First 2-year term)
Wanda Hasadsri (Second 2-year term)
Michelle Her (Second 2-year term)
Ellen Junn (First 2-year term)
Hiromi Kubo (First 2-year term)
May Blia Ly (First 2-year term)
Candidates for officer positions for 2010 are listed below:
President: Roberta Barton
Vice-President: Gena Lew Gong
Financial Officer/Treasurer: Hiromi Kubo
Secretary: Wanda Hasadsri
Your ballots are in the mail at the time of this newsletter publication.
Please return your vote by November 25, 2009.
Washington, DC – In a ceremony today [October 15, 2009] at the White
House, President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order reestablishing the
White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders (the Initiative) and
in doing so demonstrated a federal level commitment to improving the lives
of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) throughout the United States.
The Initiative was first established during the Clinton Administration in 1999
and was initially housed in the Department of Health and Human Services
and then later in the Department of Commerce. Under President Obama, the
Initiative now officially moves to the Department of Education. As President
Obama stated during the signing ceremony earlier today, the mission of the
Initiative is to “work with 23 agencies and departments across our government to improve the health, education, and economic status of AAPI communities.” The Initiative and the Commission will be co-chaired by the Secretary
of Education, Arne Duncan, and the Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke.
While President Obama talked today about the many strengths of the AAPI
communities, he also acknowledged that significant obstacles still face many
AAPIs. He discussed health and educational disparities, as well as high poverty rates and language access challenges, all issues that are of importance
to Southeast Asian Americans, and issues that the Initiative will work to
address.
“SEARAC commends President Obama for reestablishing the White House
Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders. This is an exciting moment
and an important indication that the Obama Administration takes the concerns of our diverse AAPI communities seriously. We recognize that the challenges facing many in our communities are great, and the Initiative will need
support and active cooperation from all communities around the country. We
look forward to our partnership with the Initiative,” states Doua Thor, Executive Director of SEARAC.
Full text of the President's speech can be found here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/
the_press_office/Executive-Order-Asian-American-and-Pacific-Islander-Community/
2009 Scholarship
Recipients: (left to
right) See Vang,
LiAnn Ishizuka,
Maitria Moua, Chong
Yang, Suzanna Vang,
Kaozong Mouavangsou, Dao Thao, and
Abbygail Williams.
(Not pictured: Lee
Vang and Hashroop
Kaur Gurm.
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 7
T h a n k Yo u
THANK YOU 2008 and 2009
CCAPW DONORS
Special 30th Anniversary Donors $1000+
Wells Fargo
PG&E
Visionaries, $500+
Carole Chamberlain
Bao Cha Cook
Thanit Hasadsri
Jeanette Ishii
Rita Bawanan Merzoian/Joan Agustin Family
Lorraine Takahashi/Mae Takahashi Family
Debbie Tom
President’s Circle, $300+
Deborah Ikeda
Peggy Saika
Judith Simuns
Community Leaders, $100+
County Bank
Jacky Chan
Ling Cho
Anthony Cody
Valerie F. Davis
Mary Florentino/In Memory of Ron Florentino
Wanda Hasadsri
Ellen Junn
Linath Lim
Franklin and Lucia Ng
Ari Martinez
Ida Parrott
Maia Pucay
Beth Renge
Carolyn Sakauye
Maggie Thao
Wendy Tukloff
Mai Der Vang
Zoua Vang and Darrell Wong
Jane Worsley
XC Lucky Supermarket
Maila Yang
Xee Yang
Investors - up to $99
May L. Chun
Gena Lew Gong
Michelle Her
Celeese Kai
Veena Kapoor
Irene Lai
Mari Anne Lai
Dorothy Pucay
Virgie Rhoads
Barbara Taniguchi
Geri Yang
THANK YOU
CCAPW MEMBERS
November 4, 2009
Roberta Barton
Esther H. Caiazza
Kimtruc Cao
Sandy Cha
Carole Chamberlain
Ling Cho
Bao Cha Cook
Anjali Davis
Valerie Davis
Francine Farber
Mary Florentino
Gena Lew Gong
Fely Guzman
Bobbi Hanada
Wanda Hasadsri
Thelma Haw
Ka Zoua Her
Michelle Her
Mymee M. Her
Ashlee Z. Herr
Misty Herr
Katsuyo Howard
Deborah Ikeda
Jeanette Ishii
Ellen Junn
Celeese Kai
Bernice Kao
Veena Kapoor
Hiromi Kubo
Marlene Kubota
Irene A. Lai
Tia Lam
Lillie Lew
Linath Lim
Cyndee Kia Lor-Yang
An T. Ly
May Blia Ly
Michael Lynch
Sharon Martinez
Kelly Marie Masuda
Rita Bawanan Merzoian
Carol Mills
Witt-yi Winnie Mine
Lucia Ng
Giang Nguyen
Brielle Nikaido
Marian Ota
Ida Parrott
Dorothy Pucay
Edna Pucay
Julia Pucay
Maia Pucay
Beth Renge
Virgie Rhoads
Peggy Saika
Carolyn Sakauye
Judith Simuns
Barbara Taniguchi
Maggie Mai Thao
Yupayong Thirakomen
Debbie Tom
Wendy Tuckloff
Mai Der Vang
Zoua Pa-Naoblia Vang
MayGnia Vang
Doua H. Vu
Camille Wing
Nzong Xiong
Kao N. Yang
Geri Yang
If we omitted your name in error, please notify us.
See this newsletter in full color at:
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
P. O. Box 26803
Fresno, CA 93729
www.ccapw.org
(continued from front page)
Thank You PG&E
Thank You Wells Fargo
Our most valuable asset has always been our people and our communities.
Members, donors, and supporters have embraced our mission and participated
in fulfilling our mission.
Thank you also to Wells Fargo whose sponsorship support over our history
continues to make a commitment to our vision and mission for all Asian
Pacific women in the Central Valley to have access to all possible education,
employment and health opportunities while celebrating our distinct heritage.
Thank you Wells Fargo.
In September, PG&E presented CCAPW with a $1,000 check in support of
programming and scholarships in our 30th anniversary year.
PG&E is not a stranger to CCAPW. We are appreciative of the support it has
given over our history. In our extensive list of scholarship recipients you’ll
note their scholarship support in the past. Thank you PG&E for being a part
of CCAPW history.
Congratulations 2009 Scholars
We dedicate this newsletter issue to another group of young women who
accepted scholarship dollars at our award luncheon at CSU Fresno in July.
Associate Provost Ellen Junn graced our gathering with an inspirational talk as
we broke our record and awarded $10,000 to deserving young women.
CCAPW continues its tradition of showcasing its talented future leaders. This
group of young women did not disappoint. Their poise and thoughtful words
of appreciation in accepting their awards inspired us. Their hopeful, energetic
ambition, as they start or continue their educational pursuits, encouraged us
as we witness those first steps of our future community leaders. Read more
about our 2009 scholarship winners on page 3.
Board of Directors Ballot
Members will receive their board of directors ballots in the mail where each
of you are given the opportunity to vote on an impressive list of officers
and candidates for 2010. Thank you to Debbie Tom and Rita Bawanan
Merzoian who will complete three terms totaling six years each on the
board. As a founder of CCAPW, Debbie will continue to be a valuable active
member in the years to come. Her guidance has mentored countless leaders
from CCAPW and from our community. As you might remember, she and
Rita have been instrumental in motivating the community and rebuilding/
reinforcing the infrastructure of CCAPW in the past few years. We thank
them for their service and fully expect and count on their continued participation in our future. And thanks to Valerie Davis whose service to the
board has brought a valuable dimension and insight from her three years of
service.
CCAPW Executive Committee
Central California Asian Pacific Women
Vi sion:
Asian Pacific women in the Central Valley will have access to all possible education, employment and health opportunities while
while
celebrating their distinct heritage.
Missi on:
• To bring together Asian Pacific Women in Central California to share in their commonalities and distinct cultural heritage
• To address the educational, employment, health needs/concerns of Asian Pacific women by promoting the visibility, participation, and representation of Asian Pacific women in the community
• To provide leadership opportunities to empower Asian Pacific women in their education, career and life
Newsletter Editor: Rita Bawanan Merzoian ♦ Thanks to board directors and members for contributing articles and for
submitting pictures. ♦ Special thanks to Wells Fargo and PG&E for their sponsorship of
CCAPW programs in 2009-2010.