A Hmong American poet is this year’s winner of the Walt Whitman Award, given for an outstanding debut book. The Academy of American Poets told The Associated Press March 23 that 34-year-old Mai Der Vang will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a six-week residency in Umbria, Italy. Her collection “Afterland,” inspired by the flight […]
API leaders tackle local communities’ considerations and concerns at briefing
With the general election set for Nov. 8, Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) leaders join presidential candidates in making sure key issues are brought up for public debate.
New appointments to the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs
Mohan Gurung was born in Nepal, and migrated to the United States in 1993. He previously worked at Bir Hospital (the oldest hospital in Nepal) for over 13 years in their Emergency/Trauma, Orthopedic and Dental department as well as volunteering in numerous medical camps and health clinics, including the Red Cross. He founded the Nepal […]
Hmong American women break from traditional roles
By Gosia Wozniacka The Associated Press FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — In a crowded refugee camp in Thailand, Misty Her often sneaked away to a school house and listened through a hole in the wall. She knew she could never attend, being Hmong and a girl.
Former Minnesota State Senator Mee Moua to lead AAJC
The Board of Directors of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), has named Mee Moua as president and executive director of one of the nation’s premier civil rights organizations. On March 19, Moua will succeed Karen K. Narasaki, who announced in June she […]
Community-minded new immigrants are wanted for jobs in lawmaking
By James Tabafunda Northwest Asian Weekly The year of 1957 stands out in the history of Asian Americans. Dalip Singh Saund, an immigrant from India, became the first Asian American to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3 of that year. A Democrat, he represented the state of California and served […]