Cecilia Chung named 'Woman of the Year' by California Assembly

Assemblyman Phil Ting honors transgender health advocate and civil rights leader



Congratulations to transgender health advocate and civil rights leader Cecilia Chung, who was one of three transgender women recognized by the California state Assembly this week as part of the Legislature's "Woman of the Year" celebration, honoring their important work towards breaking down barriers and fighting for equality.

Transgender activists named 'Woman of the Year'

During the annual Woman of the Year celebration, a woman from each Assembly District is honored in the State Capitol. On Monday, Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) honored Chung, who was introduced on the Assembly Floor and received a resolution recognizing her achievements.

Chung is currently a senior advisor for the Transgender Law Center, a health commissioner at the San Francisco Department of Public Health and a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. She also plays a leadership role in international organizations, including the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) and the Sero Project. Her notable "firsts" include:

"Asian women don't get breast cancer."

False. They do. In fact, it's one of the leading causes of death for Asian women in the U.S.



Contrary to a pervasive, popular perception among medical professionals, Asian women get breast cancer. In fact, it's one of the leading causes of death among Asian women in the United States (and Asia), who actually face unique cultural, linguistic and genetic issues pertaining to breast cancer.

The National Asian Breast Cancer Initiative is a recently established not-for-profit pilot project currently spearheaded by Privy Groupe, fiscally managed by the Asian Pacific Community Fund and endorsed by the Asian and Pacific Islander National Cancer Survivors Network. NABCI is a national initiative to address the unique cultural, linguistic and genetic challenges that Asian women face related to breast cancer.

During the month of October, NABCI has entitled this campaign "Asian women don't get breast cancer" in honor of breast cancer activist Susan Shinagawa -- and for the express purpose is dispelling this fallacy:

Call for Submissions: Anthology of Asian and Pacific Islander Women's Experiences with Mental Illness

What are the untold stories of APIA women and mental health?

I recently got this call for submissions passed along to me... Editor Aileen Alfonso Duldulao is putting the call out to Asian and Pacific Islander women for essays, letters, interviews, poems and other reflections focusing on mental illness and mental health for an upcoming anthology, No Greater Agony.

The goal is to give voice to APIA women, whose stories and experiences with mental health and mental illness too often go untold. Here is some more information:

AAIFF'13 Panel Discussion: Where are the Asian Women in Film? July 30

Short notice, but if you're in New York, the Asian American International Film Festival is co-hosting a special panel with the Museum of Chinese America: Where are the Asian Women in Film? with director Nadine Truong, actor/producer Di Quon, director/professor Christine Choy and filmmaker/moderator S. Casper Wong. It's happening Tuesday, July 30 at MOCA. Here are some more details:

Nominate an AAPI woman as a Champion of Change

Heads up. The White House Champions of Change series spotlights ordinary citizens who are demonstrating extraordinary commitment to their community, their country, and their fellow citizens.

This May, on the occasion of AAPI Heritage Month, the White House Office of Public Engagement, White House Council on Women and Girls, and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will honor a small group of AAPI women as Champions of Change. That's where you come in.

Do you know an AAPI Woman who is a Champion of Change? Members of the public are invited to submit nominations online. A small group of AAPI women who represent diverse experiences and backgrounds will be honored as Champions of Change and invited to the White House for an event in early May.

Go to the White House website to submit an awesome AAPI woman as a Champion of Change (under "Theme of Service," choose "AAPI Women Leaders"). The nomination deadline is March 29.

Research Survey: Experiences of Asian American Women

Hey, Asian American women! Here's a graduate student who could use your help...

I recently heard from Suah Kim, a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, Columbia University. She's conducting a study examining Asian American women's cultural values, race- and gender-related experiences, body image, and mental health, and is looking for Asian American women to participate in an online research survey.

Here's some more information on the study: