In May, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated around the world. In June 1977, representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Mineta of California wanted to introduce the idea of establishing Asian Pacific Heritage Week to be observed at the beginning of May. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush designated May to honor the achievements made by Asian Americans, Pacific Islander Americans, and Native Hawaiians. (Senate.gov)
There are a huge number of inspiring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have changed the world:
- Connie Chung: The first Asian-American woman to appear on a national news broadcast, she started her career in journalism with CBS Evening News in the early 1970s. She has interviewed recognizable figures such as Richard Nixon, Gary Condit, Kathleen Gingrich, and more. Currently, she is 79 years old and has her own newspaper called Flathead Beacon.
- George Takei: An actor, but an activist. At just five years old, George and his family were detained and taken to a Japanese internment camp for three years. After his family was released, they were given a one-way ticket to Los Angeles. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles, where he got his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Additionally, in 1963, he ran for the Los Angeles City Council, and he is recognized for being the first Asian American to break stereotypes as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek: The Original Series.
- Kalpana Chawla: The first Indian-American astronaut to travel in space. She grew up in India, studying aerospace and engineering at Punjab Engineering College before moving to the United States. She got a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado-Boulder and became a US citizen in 1991. In 1995, she was selected by NASA as an astronaut. On February 1st, 2003, after her second mission, the shuttle broke and went through the Earth’s atmosphere, killing Chawla and her crew. In October 2020, a commercial cargo spacecraft was named in her honor. (Biography.com)
There have been countless accomplishments by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that are often brushed over. This month, we take time to notice their sacrifices and contributions. Events like festivals, cultural performances, and cooking traditional recipes are all ways to observe and honor the month!
