Lensey Namioka is a woman of many talents, but with a great passion. Now a unique storyteller, Namioka started off in mathematics. “I realized early that I wasn’t going to do any original, creative work in math,” she said. “At first, I did some translation of Chinese mathematics into English, but that was kind of boring so I started writing articles, humorous articles at first.”
On being honored as an Asian American pioneer in publishing, Namioka slyly said, “Gee, I’m not sure in what way I’m a pioneer. Well, maybe, I was one of the first to have a book published in English for young people that has a Japanese samurai detective. I can’t think in what other way I’m a pioneer, but it is a great honor!” ♦
Meet Lensey Namioka on Oct. 11 at China Harbor Restaurant, 2040 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle. She is one of Northwest Asian Weekly’s nine honorees for the Asian American Pioneer Dinner. Tickets are $60 per person before Oct. 5, $75 after. For more information, please e-mail rsvp@nwasianweekly.com.