Senator Dave Min Honors API Leaders in Senate District 37
Senator Dave Min Honors API Leaders in Senate District 37
Min recognizes eight community leaders for API Heritage Month
IRVINE, CA — Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) today honored eight local API leaders in observation of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month, which takes place in the month of May. The eight individuals represent the best in their respective fields and are committed to supporting the API community.
“I’m proud to recognize these amazing leaders of Asian and Pacific Islander descent for their incredible contributions to our community,” Min said. “These honorees represent the best of Orange County and our API community. Their outstanding achievements and their dedicated commitment to improving our communities are a huge part of why Orange County and the state of California continue to lead the way for our country. I applaud their excellence and am grateful for their contributions to our region.”
The honorees include:
Carol and Eugene Choi
Carol and Eugene Choi are the founders and CEOs of leading global company United Exchange Corporation. Since 1993, they have advocated for creating a better world to leave behind for future generations. In the community, they are known for raising awareness on Korean American causes.
Rima Nashashibi
An internationally recognized political and community leader who has over 20 years of experience speaking on topics such as women’s issues, gender equity, and religious and racial anti-discrimination often at the request of the U.S. State Department and universities in the U.S. and the Middle East.
Sukhee Kang
From 2008 to 2012, Sukhee Kang served as the Mayor of the City of Irvine and was the first Korean American to serve as a mayor of a major American City. Kang is a first generation Korean American who has advocated greater Korean American political representation.
Mary Anne Foo
Mary Anne Foo is the founder and Executive Director of OCAPICA (OC Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance). She has over 30 years of experience working in community health with diverse communities. Foo serves on numerous health care institution boards and advisory committees.
Linda Trinh Vo
Linda Trinh Vo is an Asian American studies professor at the University of California, Irvine, Dept. of Asian American Studies. Vo has an extensive background in expertise on API immigration history in OC. She is the leading expert and educator in Southern California on not only Vietnamese American and Asian American history.
Yulan Chung
Yuan Chung is the Executive Director of the South Coast Chinese Association and Irvine Chinese School. Chung is an active Chinese American leader in Orange County and is a leading educator of Chinese heritage and culture.
Seema Chaudhri
Dr. Seema Chaudri is the founder and director of Montessori Preschool, Irvine & Lake Forest, and has supported the City of Irvine as a member of the Childcare committee. She is also the founder of the Indian Culture & Hindi Gurukul Program, Sunday School & Math Camp. In addition, she’s sought to connect more than 1,500 Indian women in Orange County by creating OC Indian Women.
Min is the only Korean American legislator in the State Senate. Since taking office late last year, Min has led in efforts to uplift the Asian community, including denouncing anti-API hate crimes at rallies and authoring a resolution.