Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Did you know? The YWCA has been a part of the Asian American Pacific Islander community’s journey for decades. The Asilomar campgrounds were used for young girls to grow in community and to empower themselves to become YWCA leaders.
This #AAPIHeritageMonth, follow our socials as we celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islander YWCA leaders who helped shape our mission to Eliminate Racism, Empower Women and Promote Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.
Gloria Chun Hoo
Gloria Chun Hoo is a dedicated leader affiliated with the YWCA and an advocate known for her work advancing Asian American civic engagement and representation. She has been involved in nonprofit leadership and grassroots organizing, focusing on education, cultural awareness, and empowering immigrant communities to participate more fully in public life.
Through her involvement, she has contributed to community-focused initiatives that support equity, leadership development, and social justice. Known for her commitment to service and inclusive leadership, Chun Hoo plays an important role in fostering programs that uplift underserved communities and promote positive change. Her work reflects a strong passion for advocacy, collaboration, and creating opportunities for women and families to thrive.
Learn more: https://www.conference.ywca.org/gloria-chun-hoo
Mazie Hirono
Mazie Hirono is an American politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Hawaii since 2013. She previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013 and in the Hawaii State Legislature.
She is known for her advocacy on issues such as healthcare, immigration, women’s rights, and civil liberties. Hirono has broken several barriers in American politics, including being the first Asian American woman elected to the U.S. Senate and the first immigrant woman to serve in that body. Her career reflects a strong commitment to public service and representing diverse communities.
Learn more: https://www.hirono.senate.gov/about
Yuri Kochiyama
Yuri Kochiyama was a Japanese American civil rights activist known for her lifelong commitment to social justice and community organizing.
She experienced the forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, an event that deeply shaped her activism.
Kochiyama became a prominent advocate for racial equality, political prisoners, and marginalized communities, working alongside influential figures such as Malcolm X, whose assassination she famously witnessed and responded to with compassion.
Throughout her life, she supported movements for Black liberation, Asian American rights, and global human rights. Kochiyama’s legacy endures as a powerful example of solidarity, courage, and unwavering dedication to justice.
Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/people/yuri-kochiyama.htm
Cecilia Chung
Cecilia Chung is a Chinese American civil rights leader and public health advocate known for her work advancing LGBTQ+ equality and HIV/AIDS awareness. She is a transgender woman who has become a prominent voice for transgender rights, healthcare access, and social justice.
Chung has held leadership roles in organizations focused on ending discrimination in healthcare and improving services for people living with HIV/AIDS. She was the first transgender woman to serve as President of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, where she worked on policies promoting equity and inclusion. Through her advocacy, she has helped elevate transgender visibility and strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ communities, making her a respected figure in both local and national activism.
Anna May Wong
Anna May Wong was a pioneering Chinese American actress widely recognized as the first Chinese American movie star in Hollywood. She began acting in silent films during the 1920s and later transitioned into talkies, becoming one of the most visible Asian performers in early American cinema.
Despite facing widespread racial discrimination and being often limited to stereotypical roles, Wong built an international career, working in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. She is remembered not only for her talent and screen presence but also for breaking barriers for Asian Americans in film.
In 2022, she became the first Asian American to appear on U.S. currency, being featured on the quarter as part of the American Women Quarters Program.
Learn more: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/anna-may-wong
Maya Lin
Maya Lin is an American architect and artist best known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which she created while still an undergraduate student at Yale University.
She gained national recognition in 1981 after her minimalist design was selected through a blind competition. The memorial is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and influential war memorials in the United States.
Lin’s work often explores themes of memory, landscape, and the relationship between nature and human-made structures. In addition to architecture, she has created large-scale environmental art installations and sculptures. Over her career, Maya Lin has received numerous honors for her contributions to art and design, and she is recognized as a pioneering figure in contemporary architecture.
Learn more: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/maya-lin
Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla was an Indian American astronaut and aerospace engineer known for being the first woman of Indian origin in space. Born in Karnal, India, she earned degrees in aeronautical engineering in India before completing advanced studies in the United States.
Chawla joined NASA and flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 on mission STS-87, where she served as a mission specialist and robotic arm operator. She later returned to space on STS-107 in 2003, a scientific research mission that tragically ended when Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, resulting in the loss of the crew.
Kalpana Chawla is remembered for her pioneering achievements in aerospace exploration and her inspiring legacy as a trailblazer for women in STEM fields around the world.
Learn more: https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/dr-kalpana-chawla
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka is a professional tennis player known for her powerful playing style and groundbreaking achievements on the international stage. Since she was born in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan, she represents Japan in international competition and has become one of the most influential athletes in modern tennis.
Osaka has won multiple Grand Slam singles titles, including the U.S. Open and the Australian Open, and she became the first Asian player to hold the world No. 1 ranking in singles.
Beyond her success on the court, she is widely recognized for her advocacy on mental health awareness and social justice issues, using her platform to speak out on racial inequality and athlete well-being. Her impact extends beyond tennis, making her a prominent global sports figure and cultural role model.
Learn more: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/naomi-osaka
Vera Wang
Vera Wang is an American fashion designer best known for her elegant bridal gowns and influential work in the fashion industry. She began her career in fashion journalism and worked as an editor at Vogue before becoming a design director at Ralph Lauren.
She later launched her own label in 1990, debuting her first bridal collection, which quickly became highly sought after for its modern, sophisticated style. Over time, Wang expanded her brand to include ready-to-wear fashion, accessories, and fragrances, becoming one of the most recognized names in luxury fashion.
Her designs have been worn by celebrities, public figures, and brides around the world, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in contemporary American fashion.
Learn more: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vera-Wang
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress internationally recognized for her versatile performances in action, drama, and fantasy films. She began her career in Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s, gaining attention for performing her own stunts in action films such as Police Story 3: Super Cop and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Yeoh later transitioned to Hollywood, appearing in major films including Tomorrow Never Dies, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Crazy Rich Asians.
In 2023, she made history by becoming the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Beyond acting, she is known for breaking barriers for Asian performers in global cinema and for her contributions to representation in the film industry.
Learn more: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michelle-Yeoh
Alysa Liu
Alysa Liu is an American figure skater known for her remarkable achievements at a young age. She rose to prominence after becoming the youngest-ever U.S. national champion at age 13 in 2019, and she successfully defended her title in 2020.
Liu is especially recognized for her technical skill, including being one of the first American women to land difficult triple Axel jumps in competition.
She represented the United States at major international events, including the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where she won two gold medals. One medal was in the women’s singles event and the other was as part of the U.S. team, making her a two-time Olympic champion and the first American woman in over two decades to win individual Olympic gold in figure skating.
Learn more: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/alysa-liu-champion-who-cant-stop-smiling