May is Asian American-Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month; an opportunity to celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States and to pay tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and continue to be instrumental to so much that we cherish in the United States. We are sadly living in a time in which attacks on this community have become more frequent and troubling. The Y is very proud to stand with the AAPI community and we appreciate their significant contributions to our country and culture.
AAPI Heritage commemoration was first proposed in 1977 to observe the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States in May of 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad, constructed mainly by Chinese immigrant workers in May of 1869. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter made it an annual week-long event and President George H.W. Bush later extended the proclamation to include the entire month of May.
The Y’s history with the AAPI community originated in San Francisco, where Ys serving Asians were established in 1875 to serve the large Chinese population there. A Japanese Y was later founded in 1917. During World War II, during a particularly dark moment in our country’s history, the Y worked secretly in U.S. internment camps holding 110,000 Japanese Americans, organizing clubs and activities for children.
Here at the Y, one of the ways we are celebrating the Asian American-Pacific Islander community is a special event held this past Saturday at the Dancel Y in Ellicott City.
With thanks to our excellent partners, BGE, McCormick Spice, the Chinese American Parent Association, and Ridgely Run Center, we were able to give away 100 boxes of produce, 100 bags of non-perishable food, and 100 herb plants to families in need throughout the Howard County community!
A HUGE shout out goes to Y associates Mike Hines, Mike Monaghan, Rob Gray, Shannon Kowal, Eric Sommerville, and Michelle Becote-Jackson for making it all happen. Thank you as well to the many Y members, participants, associates, volunteers, and donors of Asian Pacific descent who contribute greatly to the richness of our collective community life.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland
