Seattle Mayor-elect Bruce Harrell, a second generation Japanese American, became the first Asian American mayor in Seattle. He also announced a nearly 150-member transition team that will make up the most racially and ideologically diverse mayoral transition team in Seattle history.
Kendee Yamaguchi named Seattle Deputy Mayor—More AAPIs join Harrell administration
On Dec. 29, Seattle Mayor-elect Bruce Harrell announced the latest round of hires joining his administration’s cabinet as he prepares to enter office next week.
Harrell inauguration on hold
Concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has prompted Seattle Mayor-elect Bruce Harrell’s inauguration to be postponed.
Batayola named to Advisory Commission
President Joe Biden named International Community Health Services (ICHS) President and Chief Executive Officer Teresita Batayola as one of 25 leaders who will be appointed to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The 25-member commission’s focus is on advancing equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and […]
Trudeau makes history
For the first time in the Washington state Legislature’s history, a Senate committee will be led by two South Asian women. State Sen. Yasmin Trudeau has been selected vice chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee following state Sen. Manka Dhingra’s selection as committee chair. Trudeau previously served as legislative director for the office […]
Judge Sung confirmed
The U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Jennifer Sung to the Ninth Circuit on Dec. 15, making her the first Asian American to be nominated for the federal bench in Oregon. Sung was a labor lawyer and former union organizer. Prior to her confirmation, she served on the Oregon Employment Relations Board as an adjudicator on labor […]
Sofia Chang named CEO of Girl Scouts of USA
Girl Scouts of the United States (GSUSA) announced on Dec. 14 that it appointed Sofia Chang as its chief executive officer. Chang will be GSUSA’s first AAPI CEO, effective Jan. 27. “As a mother to a Girl Scout Junior, I have seen first-hand the positive impact of Girl Scouts,” she said in the news release. […]
Asian American women are NYC deputy mayors
New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams appointed two Asian American women to be deputy mayors last week. Maria Torres-Springer and Meera Joshi will be two of six deputy mayors to serve under Adams—the first two people of Asian descent to be appointed to the position. Five of the six deputy mayors are women. Torres-Springer, who […]
Elderly man beaten—Police investigate hate crime
The San Diego Police Department is investigating a hate crime after a man assaulted an 81-year-old Asian American man on the morning of Dec. 17 while he was on a walk.
Bellevue student raises awareness of teen dating violence
By Venice Buhain Originally published by Crosscut.com Newport High School senior Alex Su wasn’t expecting to become a rallying cry across the region when she told her teachers and administrators that she didn’t feel safe around her ex-boyfriend. “Nobody thinks about the situation until it happens to them. I never thought anything would come of […]