Central California
Asian Pacific Women
2008 Scholarships Awarded
Congratulations 2008 Scholarship Recipients! The Thai Palms Restaurant was the
venue to honor and congratulate eight
future leaders on July 26. Thank you to
all members and supporters who helped
double our scholarship giving this year
totaling just under $7,000. Recipients
and their families joined members and
welcomed guest speaker, Giang Nguyen,
who graced us with her success story
chronicling her family’s journey from
Vietnam. Please read the detailed report
on page 4.
Jeanette Ishii, Celeese Kai and Debbie Tom welcome
Kao Kalia Yang to Fresno as CCAPW hosts a reading
from the author’s debut book.
Dear Friends and Members:
Telling Our Stories
Thank you to all the board directors,
members, and community members who
were able to attend “An Evening with Kao
Kalia Yang” on Wednesday, October 15.
Yang, the author of The Latehomecomer:
A Hmong Family Memoir, read from her
debut book, and told her story of her
family’s journey from Laos, to Thailand,
then America. This was a tremendous
opportunity to welcome to our community
this storyteller with her debut publication. Read more event
details on page 2. Thank you to Debbie Tom, chair of this
event committee, along with Gena Lew, Mai Der Vang, and
Geri Yang and board directors who organized and presented
this special event.
Holiday Luncheon on December 6, 2008
Join us on December 6 for our annual holiday celebration.
In keeping with our ’telling our stories’ theme, CCAPW members will share their own stories of diversity in a special
presentation. We will take this opportunity to salute a very
successful year for CCAPW and install our officers and new
board directors. Our annual donations will go to the Fresno
Center for Nonviolence Goodie Bag Project. Please see page
5 for more information on this worthy project.
Board Candidates/Officers for 2009
With this newsletter, current members
will receive their 2009 ballot to register
their vote for officers and candidates
for the CCAPW board. As we expand
our membership and increase programming, we are proud of the talented
women who leave our board (Geri Yang
and Yi Yang) in 2008 and thank them
for their dedication over their term/s.
We welcome and are excited with the
candidates who promise to take our
organization to new heights and meet
new challenges. See page 6 for a
summary of officers and candidates.
Potential Funding Opportunity
The board is proud to announce CCAPW is being considered
for potential funding to expand our programming in the
Central Valley. We submitted a proposal for funds that will
further develop powerful grassroots leadership, build the
capacity and leadership of our organization, strengthen our
infrastructure to increase civic influence and create systemic
change, and advance justice and equity for all communities.
The potential of this funding would be a giant leap for
CCAPW. We are excited to be included in the second step
of the funding process. Whether or not we receive this
(continued on back page)
November 2008
Board of
Directors
Mai Der Vang
President
Rita Bawanan Merzoian
Vice President
Sandy Cha
Financial Officer/Treasurer
Michelle Her
Secretary
Valerie Davis
Wanda Hasadsri
Marlene Kubota
An Ly
Debbie Tom
Geri Yang
Yi 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
Page 2
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
CCAPW Activities
members participated in Fresno’s first Mayoral Forum to discuss how mayoral
candidates can better meet the needs of the Asian American community and
become civically engaged in the political process. The forum at Akira Yokomi
Elementary School was hosted by Chinatown Revitalization, Fresno Center for
New Americans, Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries, Gill Insurance,
Lao Family Community of Fresno, Stone Soup Fresno, Yang Design, Inc., etc.
Both candidates did well to answer a myriad of questions. The forum included
a voter registration drive and food. CCAPW was represented by board directors
Mai Der Vang, Wanda Hasadsri, Debbie Tom and Michelle Her who distributed
information about CCAPW and programs.
WOMEN SPEAK OUT: CHANGING
CHANGING THE WAY CALIFORNIANS AGE
September 26, 2008
By Debbie Tom
Kao Kalia Yang and Dr. Franklin Ng of CSU Fresno. Dr. Ng was instrumental in bringing
Kalia to Fresno and connecting her to CCAPW. Thank you Dr. Ng.
AN EVENING WITH KAO KALIA YANG
October 15, 2008
By Gena Lew Gong
On Wednesday, October 15, CCAPW held a book reading event welcoming
Kao Kalia Yang, author of The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir, on
her first visit to Fresno. With more than 150 community members in attendance, the event was a testament to the Asian American community’s eagerness to support the success of a young, gifted, and incredibly inspirational
Hmong American writer from Minnesota.
From the moment she began speaking, Kalia captivated the room with
her heartfelt words and raw emotions as she spoke about her family’s long
journey from their native Laos to the United States in the aftermath of
America’s Secret War in Laos. Born in Thailand’s Ban Vinai Refugee Camp
and just six years old when her family immigrated to America, Kalia shared
her family’s struggles to establish a new life – inspired by her father’s poetry, her mother’s love, and her grandmother’s strength and wisdom. There
was not a dry eye in the room when she read about her close bond with
her grandmother, and how profoundly she was affected by her grandmother’s
death.
Later, several audience members rose to ask questions of Kalia, including
her thoughts on leadership and what advice she would give to younger
women who struggle with their cultural identity. Her answers reflected the
philosophy and maturity of a woman far beyond her 28 years as she encouraged all in the room to pursue their dreams and, above all, to never
forget where they came from, as exemplified in her quote: “We belong to
the stories of our mothers and grandmothers, we cannot forget them.”
ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MAYORAL FORUM
September 27, 2008
According to the City of Fresno’s Economic Department in 2006, Asian
Americans make up 9.3% of the County of Fresno. CCAPW leaders and
At the invitation of The Women’s Foundation of California, 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).
The foundation organized two other Speak Outs (Oakland and Los Angeles).
Judy Patrick, President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation noted in her welcoming remarks, that the “Women Speak Out is the first phase of the Elder
Women’s Initiative which aims to build the movement led by elder women and
their allies for a California where we can all age with well-being, dignity and
economic security.”
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
multi-generational households.” This is a ‘best practice’ model for aging in
Participants at the August Potluck discussing Women and Aging: (back row, left to right)
Witt--Yi Mine, May Nwe (Witt
(Witt--Yi’s mom), Gena Lew Gong, Eleanor
Roberta Barton, Debbie Tom, Witt
Pucay. (front row, left to right) Valerie Davis, Julia Pucay, Marlene Kubota, Yupayong Thirakomen, Mai Der Vang, Judith Simuns, and Geri Yang.
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 3
CCAPW Activities
reciprocated with news of CCAPW projects and discussed common issues. The
League of Women Voters focuses on governmental services, natural resources
and social policies. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political
organization, encourages informed and active participation in government and
influences public policy through education and advocacy. Francine shared
newsletters and invited directors and members to an upcoming event giving
participants the rare opportunity to visit the inside of the county jail.
Thanks to Francine for her visit and sharing the news of the League. For
more information, see http://fresno.ca.lwvnet.org/.
WELLS FARGO LUNCH WITH RANDY CHUN
August 20, 2008
Board directors (from left to right) Debbie Tom, Sandy Cha, Geri Yang and Mai Der Vang at
luncheon with CCAPW sponsor Randy Chun of Wells Fargo (right).
place that many API families wish to sustain. From this dinner discussion,
Debbie Tom prepared and submitted testimony at the Speak Out.
Along with Debbie, many other API women provided testimony. Many of
the monolingual women spoke and they noted that speaking in front of a
large group was a new experience for them. We learned, too, that many
others in the audience had never witnessed women speaking in her native
language. These were truly unique moments that generated a new understanding and compassion. The Women’s Foundation has documented all of
the testimonies and will prepare a summary report that will be disseminated.
For more information about the Speak Outs and updates, go to
www.womensfoundca.org.
MAYORAL FORUM ON POVERTY
September 11, 2008
Fresnans had the opportunity to find out how the mayoral candidates
propose to alleviate poverty in Fresno at a forum held at the Convention
Center’s Exhibit Hall. The free event moderated by Dr. Manuel Pastor, author and professor at the University of Southern California where he directs
the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity gave the candidates a
chance to discuss their views on leading the city with the amelioration of
poverty a top priority. Mai Der Vang and Debbie Tom attended the standing-room-only forum and commented that a small room was used and not a
lot of minority representatives were present to ask questions. These forums
give the public the opportunity to meet the mayoral candidates face to face
and listen to their views on the important issues impacting the Fresno community.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
September 6, 2008
CCAPW member, Francine Farber, president of the Fresno branch of the
League of Women Voters, attended a recent CCAPW board meeting to share
information about the League and its current projects. Board directors
Sandy Cha, Community Development Officer, Assistant Vice President of the Wells Fargo Corporate
Community Development Group in Fresno, invited
board directors to a luncheon with Randy Chun,
Regional Vice President of the Wells Fargo Foundation, headquartered in San Francisco. He and colleague, Oscar Cabello, were
interested in meeting with representatives of CCAPW which Wells Fargo is
currently supporting with a $3000 sponsorship in 2008. Sandy, along with
other CCAPW board directors, Mai Der Vang, Geri Yang, and Debbie Tom
shared information about CCAPW’s history, mission and future directions. We
are appreciative of Wells Fargo and its sponsorship of CCAPW which will
provide greater avenues for deserving Asian and Pacific Islander women to
access higher education, to engage in vocational training or professional
development activities as well as to access opportunities to participate in civic
life. The funds support CCAPW’s networking efforts, its annual events and
production and dissemination of our newsletter. Thank you Wells Fargo.
Lillie Lew and Barbara Taniguchi at the Kalia Event on October 15, 2008
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 4
CCAPW Activities
SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON
July 26, 2008
Guest Speaker
We are extremely proud of every opportunity to
honor and acknowledge both our past and present scholarship recipients. We never lose sight
of the importance of investing in scholarships for
our youth. The impact of welcoming past recipients back to CCAPW repeatedly inspires us to work
harder to try to support more young women in
their pursuit of higher education. Our scholarship
luncheon on July 26 was another milestone in
this effort.
Geri introduced our guest speaker, Giang Nguyen, Director of the Department
of Behavioral Health Administration for Fresno County. Ms. Nguyen treated
our group with a detailed account of her journey from Vietnam as a young
girl, her educational pursuit, and career path to her present job. She applauded the efforts of CCAPW and was proud to be a past scholarship recipient. She talked about how lucky we are to be Asians saying, “We share
strong family values, legendary work ethics, and
a loyalty to our employers and customers.”
Giang reminded CCAPW members how lucky and
proud we are to have invested funds in our
young women entering college who return to be
great leaders in our community. After speaking
she enthusiastically joined CCAPW and offered her
assistance in future projects.
Welcome and Introduction
of Special Guests
Co-emcee, Wanda Hasadsri welcomed all in attendance with CCAPW history, our mission, and our
pride in acknowledging our scholarship recipients.
She introduced special guests who connect us to
AAPI issues and community organizations in our
valley: Lang Fang and Ari Martinez representing
Blong Xiong, Fresno City Council District 1; Carole
Chamberlain, representing The California Endowment; Van Lam, Khmer Society; Francine Farber,
League of Women Voters; and Giang Nguyen,
guest speaker.
Geri Yang, co-emcee, commented about CCAPW’s
impressive network of directors and members and
about our events and programs. She introduced
additional special guests, our former presidents
who paved the way for our current organization:
Edna Pucay (1993); Judith Simuns, (1998-99);
Debbie Tom, (2004-2007); and Veena Kapoor,
(1990).
Geri also acknowledged our sponsors and supporters, Wells Fargo and Thai Palms Restaurant.
CCAPW General Meeting
Mai Der Vang, CCAPW President, conducted our business meeting. Mai Der
summarized the events of the past year. She thanked board directors for their
work and further acknowledged our event sponsors and volunteers: Wells
Fargo, Fresno Center for New Americans, Deborah Ikeda, KSEE 24, Leadership
Education for Asian Pacifics, Stress Relief and Innovation, R&N Market, Spotlight
Planning, Central California Legal Services, Kiku Floral and Geri Yang for flowers.
She acknowledged past CCAPW recipients Sandy Cha, Wanda Hasadsri and Giang
Nguyen.
Giang Nguyen
Presentation of
Scholarship Awards
Scholarship Committee Chair, Rita Bawanan Merzoian detailed the scholarship process and individually introduced the recipients by quoting their
application references. Each came to the stage to
receive their scholarship checks and say a few
words about their future plans. Each also introduced their guests (parents, family and friends)
who accompanied them.
Kelly Marie MASUDA, graduate of Atwater High
School in Merced County, Japanese, will study
Physical Therapy at CSU Fresno ($1000 Mae
Takahashi Scholarship)
Emma Kaiulani AH SING, graduate of Desert High
School in Kern County, Hawaiian Chinese, will
study Art Education/History at Whittier College,
$850
Tena DORN, graduate of Duncan Polytechnic High
School in Fresno County, Cambodian, will study
Business/Engineering at CSU Fresno, $850
DOSSAJEE, graduate of Ridgeview High
Fatema S. DOSSAJEE
School, Kern County, South Asian, will study PrePharmacy at UC San Diego, $850
Amy A. PATEL, graduate of Los Banos High School
in Merced County, Asian Indian, will study PreMed at UCLA, $850 (Was unable to attend the luncheon.)
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 5
CCAPW Activities
Pa THOR, graduate of Golden Valley High School in Merced County, Hmong,
will study Political Science at UC Merced, $850
Kao Houa VANG, graduate of Edison High School in Fresno County, Hmong,
will study Micro Biology/Pre-Med at UC Berkeley, $850
Lee XIONG, graduate of Duncan Polytechnic High School in Fresno County,
Hmong, will be an Undecided major at CSU Fresno, $850
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
cordially invites you to attend
Thanks to all who participated and again made this gathering a great event!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
December 6, 2009 CCAPW Holiday Event
February 1, 2009 Scholarship Applications available
2008 Holiday Luncheon
& Annual Meeting
May, 2009 LEAP Fresno Conference
May 15, 2009 Scholarship application deadline
About the
Fresno Center for Nonviolence
The Fresno Center for Nonviolence is a community-based
organization working to stimulate change at all levels –
personal, local, national and international – through the
power of nonviolence. They request donations of the following items to present goodie bags to incarcerated women
this holiday season:
Hygiene Items (sample/travel size only): shampoo,
conditioner, lotion, soap, body wash, bath gel,
toothpaste, adult-size toothbrushes.
Blank Greeting Cards: Christmas cards, birthday, get
well, picture postcards, stationery & envelopes (no
stamps)
Authorized Food Items: instant coffee, tea bags, hot
chocolate, individually-wrapped hard candies,
miniature/small chocolate bars
(Each year, we ask members to bring gifts and/or monetary donations for a selected organization in our community. Please bring unwrapped wish list items listed above
to the luncheon, where we will present them to our Holiday Donation Recipient.)
Telling Our Stories
CCAPW members will headline
this holiday celebration
with personal stories of
life journeys
which make up the diverse fabric
of our Central Valley community.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Shanghai Chinese Cuisine
4011 N. Blackstone Ave. (@ Griffith)
Fresno, CA 93726
$20 per person
RSVP by November 24
An Ly: [email protected] or (949) 244-8448
Holiday Donation Recipient
Fresno Center for Nonviolence
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 6
CCAPW News
2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CANDIDATES/OFFICERS
The following directors will continue on the board and complete their
current two-year terms: Rita Bawanan Merzoian, Michelle Her, Wanda
Hasadsri, An Ly and Debbie Tom.
Candidates, both new to the board and seeking additional terms, who will
appear on the 2009 ballot are:
•
Roberta Barton (First 2-year term)
•
Sandy Cha (Second 2-year term)
•
Valerie Davis (Second 2-year term)
•
Gena Lew Gong (First 2-year term)
•
Bernice Kao (First 2-year term)
•
Marlene Kubota (Third
2-year term)
(
•
Maggie (Mai) Thao (First 2-year term)
•
Mai Der Vang (Second 2-year term)
•
Xee Yang (First 2-year term)
Candidates for officer positions for 2009 are listed below:
President: Mai Der Vang (Mai Der will complete the second year of the 2year term as President)
Vice-President: Sandy Cha
Financial Officer/Treasurer: Rita Bawanan Merzoian
Secretary: Wanda Hasadsri
Your ballots are in the mail at the time of this newsletter publication.
Please return your vote by November 21, 2008.
2009 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY
CCAPW will launch its 2009 scholarship competition on February 1, 2009.
Please request applications by contacting scholarship chair, Rita Bawanan
Merzoian at [email protected]. Hard copies or electronic copies will
be available. See www.ccapw.org for more information on past recipients.
The deadline is May 15, 2009.
CYBERSPACE UPDATE
Our Technology Committee continually updates our newly launched website
www.ccapw.org. Take a moment to check it out and let us know what you
think.
WOMEN’S FOUNDATION OF CALIFORNIA
On September 4, 2008 the Women’s Foundation of California announced
the appointment of Judy Patrick as president and CEO of the 30-year-old
changemaking organization. Judy was promoted to the position following
more than nine years of experience leading the Foundation’s grantmaking
and policy work as Executive Vice President of Programs. Judy was the
guest speaker at CCAPW’s first Membership Social in April of 2007. “We are
very excited about Judy’s promotion and the leadership she will bring to the
Women’s Foundation of California,” said Elmy Bermejo, WFC Board Chair.
“Judy’s deep experience with the Foundation and demonstrated success directing the work of other non-profits supporting issues of special concern to
women and girls make her the ideal choice as we embark on a new era of
increased fundraising and advocacy across California.” Congratulations Judy
from CCAPW. For more information, see www.womensfoundca.org.
LEADERSHIP EDUCATION FOR ASIAN PACIFICS (LEAP)
CCAPW directors will collaborate with LEAP for a second year to plan and
implement the 3rd Annual Civic Leadership Conference in Fresno coming in
May 2009! More info later on.
2008 Scholarship Recipients: (from left to right) Tena Dorn, Kelly Marie Masuda, Fatema Dossajee, Kao Houa Vang, Pa Thor, and
Emma Ah Sing. (Amy Patel is not pictured)
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Page 7
T h a n k Yo u
THANK YOU
CCAPW DONORS
2007 and 2008
Visionaries, $500+
Carole Chamberlain
Bao Cha Cook
Thanit Hasadsri
Deborah Ikeda
Jeanette Ishii
Rita Bawanan Merzoian/Joan Agustin Family
Susan Rabago/Nani Rabago Family
Tia Lam
Lorraine Takahashi/Mae Takahashi Family
Wells Fargo
President’s Circle, $300+
Peggy Saika
Judith Simuns
Debbie Tom
Community Leaders, $100+
Ernie and Jan Bawanan/Joan Agustin Family
Ramon and Barbara Bawanan/Joan Agustin Family
County Bank
Jacky Chan
Valerie F. Davis
Michelle Her
Katsuyo Howard
Young Lee/R-N Market
Linath Lim
Nancy Lopez/Joan Agustin Family
Ida Parrott
Dorothy Pucay
Carolyn Sakauye
Yupayong Thirakomen
Wendy Tukloff
Joseph Cody and Mai Der Vang
Jane Worsley
Investors - $25$25-$99
Ling Yuann Cho
Mary Ellen G. Clay
May L. Chun
Wanda Hasadsri
Irene Lai
Mari Anne Lai
Lucia Ng
Maia Pucay
Virgie N. Rhoads
Barbara Taniguchi
Marija Valek
Geri Yang
THANK YOU
CCAPW MEMBERS
November 4, 2008
Roberta Barton
Esther H. Caiazza
Kimtruc Cao
Sandy Cha
Shelly Cha
Carole Chamberlain
Ling Cho
Mary Ellen G. Clay
Bao Cha Cook
Valerie Davis
Francine Farber
Ronald and Mary Florentino
Gena Lew Gong
Fely Guzman
Wanda Hasadsri
Thelma Haw
Ka Zoua Her
Michelle Her
Mymee M. Her
Ashlee Z. Herr
Misty Herr
Chew (Autumn) Hong Leichty
Katsuyo Howard
Deborah Ikeda
Jeanette Ishii
Bernice Kao
Veena Kapoor
Marlene Kubota
Irene A. Lai
Tia Lam
Linath Lim
Cyndee Kia Lor-Yang
An T. Ly
Michael Lynch
Monina B. Mata
Felicia McCray
Rita Bawanan Merzoian
Carol Mills
Witt-yi Winnie Mine
Lucia Ng
Giang Nguyen
Lucia Noia
Marian Ota
Ida Parrott
Judy Patrick
Dorothy Pucay
Edna Pucay
Julia Pucay
Maia Pucay
Beth Renge
Virgie Rhoads
Peggy Saika
Carolyn Sakauye
Barbara Sellars
Lina Lim Shelly
Judith Simuns
Barbara Taniguchi
Maggie Mai Thao
Yupayong Thirakomen
Debbie Tom
Wendy Tuckloff
Violet Valdez
Mai Der Vang
Zoua Pa-Naoblia Vang
MayGnia Vang
Doua H. Vu
Camille Wing
Nzong Xiong
Say Xiong
Kao N. Yang
Geri Yang
Yi Yang
Kazong Yang
MaiKa Yang
Xee Yang
Nofuko Yokomi
If we omitted your name in error, please notify us.
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
P. O. Box 26803
Fresno, CA 93729
www.ccapw.org
(continued from front page)
funding, the process has helped us evaluate our capacity, our board commitment and helped us to showcase the work of CCAPW to a national philanthropic player. We will keep you posted on how we fare in this very competitive process.
We Hope We Saw You There…
It has been a busy fall for us. Since our scholarship luncheon in July and in
addition to submitting a major funding proposal and organizing two additional
special events (August Potluck and Kao Kalia Yang Reading) directors and
members participated and were among the organizers of other community
events. See the “Activities” section of this newsletter to read more about our
participation in the Women’s Foundation of California Elder Speak Out, two
Mayoral forums, a special luncheon with sponsor, Wells Fargo, among other
events and read about advance planning for 2009 projects.
Thank You Members, Supporters and Friends
Thank you for your continuing support and participation in helping us fulfill
CCAPW’s mission and vision.
CCAPW Executive Committee
Giang Nguyen in traditional Vietnamese dress shares the story of her
family with Scholarship Luncheon participants.
Central California
Asian Pacific Women
Vision:
Asian Pacific women in the Central Valley will have access to all possible education, employment and health opportunities while
celebrating their distinct heritage.
Mission:
• 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 for their sponsorship of
CCAPW programs in 2008.