Welcome

For over 30 years, CCAPW has provided a space for Asian Pacific women to gather, network, learn, and get involved in the community. As we continue to grow in our membership and carry out the work of our vision, we are excited at what the coming months and years hold for our organization as well as for our communities. We invite you to join us in our growing efforts and become a member!

Vision

Asian Pacific women in the Central Valley will have access to all possible education, employment and health opportunities while celebrating their distinct heritage.

Mission

To bring together Asian Pacific Women in Central California to share in their commonalities and distinct cultural heritage.
To address the educational, employment, health needs/concerns of Asian Pacific women by promoting the visibility, participation, and representation of Asian Pacific women in the community.
To provide leadership opportunities to empower Asian Pacific women in their education, career and life.

News & Announcements

RSVP Deadline is November 30th! Don't miss the 2011 CCAPW Holiday Luncheon featuring Keynote Speaker Patricia Wakida of the Japanese American National Museum!

Saturday, December 3, 2011, 11:30AM - 1:30PM;
Joy Luck Restaurant
7899 North Blackstone Avenue,
Fresno, CA 93711
Tickets: $30

Come join us for the CCAPW 2011 Holiday Luncheon featuring Keynote Speaker Patricia Wakida of the Japanese American National Museum. RSVP by November 30, 2011 by email at ccapwinfo@gmail.com or by calling (559) 260-1870.

Each year at the Holiday Luncheon, CCAPW honors a local organization with donations from CCAPW members and friends to support their charitable work. This year's holiday donation recipient is Naomi's House - Fresno, a local organization providing shelter to homeless single women. Please bring NEW and UNUSED women's personal care items, feminine hygiene products, and women's pajamas to benefit homeless women. Cash donations will also be accepted.

Hmong American Writers' Circle: How Do I Begin?
Community Launch Event
Friday, October 21, 2011, 7:00PM - 9:00 PM
Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave., Fresno, CA
(Co-sponsored by CCAPW, Free Admission)

Join us at the Hmong American Writers' Circle community launch event of How Do I Begin? on Friday, October 21, 2011 from 7:00PM - 9:00 PM at the Tower Theatre in Fresno, CA. This even will feature opening remarks by writer David Mas Masumoto and readings by the authors of How Do I Begin? Admission is FREE, and there will be light refreshments and book signing by the authors from 9:00PM - 10:00PM. This event is co- sponsored by CCAPW. See you there!

Shoot for the Stars!
How to Get Into the Ivy Leagues, UC, and CSU Colleges
Saturday, October 8, 2011
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Peter's Education Center (inside the Student Recreation Center), CSU Fresno Campus, 5010 N. Woodrow Ave., Fresno, CA

CCAPW invites students and their families to attend a free informational workshop on How to Get Into the Ivy Leagues, UC, and CSU Colleges. This workshop is sponsored by CCAPW, CSU Fresno's Asian Faculty and Staff Association (AFSA), and University High School, and will feature a dynamic panel of speakers to help students and their families navigate the college application process. The workshop will take place at the Peter's Education Center (inside of the Student Recreation Center) on the CSU Fresno campus on Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 10:00AM to 12:00 noon. Parking is FREE on campus on Saturdays. To view the flyer for the event, please click here.

2011 CCAPW Scholarship Luncheon
July 24, 2011, Golden Palace Banquet Hall

Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW) proudly announced the 2011 CCAPW Scholarship Recipients at its annual scholarship luncheon on July 24, 2011 at the Golden Palace Banquet Hall. Thank you to all of our members, donors, supporters, family, and friends who supported this event! CCAPW recognized ten future API women leaders and awarded each a $1,000 scholarship to support their pursuit of a higher education.

Congratulations to the 2011 CCAPW Scholarship Recipients!

Mae Takahashi Scholarship ($1,000)
Mai Kia Vang, Atwater High School (Merced County), will study Health Science & Chemistry at UC Davis to plan for a career as a pharmacist.

CCAPW General Scholarships ($1,000)
Nkaoly Cha, Central High School (Fresno County), will study Health Science / Pre-Pharmacy at CSU Fresno with a goal to be a pharmacist.

Ikneet Kaur Kandola, Atwater High School (Merced County), will study Nursing at CSU Stanislaus with goal of becoming a nurse and then an obstetrician/gynecologist.

Maitria Moua, from Fresno County, is a continuing student at UC Berkeley studying Political Science with hopes of becoming an attorney. Maitria won a CCAPW scholarship in 2009 and we are proud to award a special scholarship to support her junior year at Cal.

Kim Thuy Hoang Phan, Independence High School (Kern County), will study Biology at UC Merced. Her career goal is to become a physician.

Charmaine Parubrub, Arvin High School (Kern County), will study Life Sciences at UCLA, planning for a career as a registered nurse.

Allison Kristine Rolle, Central High School (Fresno County), will study Broadcast Journalism at the University of the Pacific with plans to become a sportscaster.

Mary Thao, Atwater High School (Merced County), will study Biological Sciences at UC Merced with plans to become a pharmacist.

Chandler Frances Yamada, Fowler High School (Fresno County), will study Student Health at CSU Fullerton and hopes to become a dentist.

Hye Jee Yi, Burroughs High School (Kern County), will study Biology at Princeton University in her pursuit of a career as a physician.

Past Activities

2010 Spring Membership Social
With special guest Jane Junn, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern California, speaking on Asian American Political Engagement: Who is Active in Politics?
March 14, 2010, Joy Luck Chinese Restaurant

Over 60 CCAPW members, supporters, and friends gathered at Joy Luck Chinese Restaurant on Sunday, March 14, 2010, to enjoy appetizers and hear a talk by Dr. Jane Junn, Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern California, titled “Asian American Political Engagement: Who is Active in Politics?” Dr. Jane Junn presented her thought-provoking research on Asian American engagement in politics, which included the first national Asian American political survey broken down by ethnicity. This survey was conducted during the 2008 United States Presidential Election. Contrary to stereotypes of Asian Americans as apolitical, this survey showed a rich portrait and broad spectrum of Asian American political involvement and activism.

2009 Holiday Luncheon & Annual Meeting
December 5, 2009, Thai Lao Palace

CCAPW members and supporters gathered at the Thai Lao Palace to celebrate the holiday season and share our stories. After swearing in the 2010 CCAPW Board of Directors and completing our business meeting, we listened to the leaders among us who shared stories of their families, their work, and their connection to our community. Project Access (Fresno Unified School District) was this year's holiday donation recipient, and was presented with 34 coats & jackets for children & teens, and $200 donated by CCAPW members.

2009 Scholarship Luncheon & General Meeting
July 25, 2009, California State University, Fresno Vintage Dining Room

Scholarships were awarded to 10 talanted young women at our Saturday, July 25, 2009 General Meeting and Scholarship Luncheon at the Vintage Dining Room on the campus of California State University, Fresno. Dr. Ellen Junn, Associate Provost of CSU Fresno, gave the keynote address at the luncheon. CCAPW awarded $10,000 in scholarships to 10 impressive and dedicated Central Valley students, the highest amount of scholarships the organization has awarded in a single year during its 30 year history.

Asian Pacific Islander Leadership Council
July 7, 2009, Fresno City Hall

CCAPW leaders and members participated in the quarterly forum of API voices facilitated by Councilmember Blong Xiong. Councilmember Xiong updated the forum on activities at Fresno City Hall, and members announced community activites and events. Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin addressed the forum, and engaged in discussion with community members on a variety of issues facing API communities.

Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial Day of Remembrance
February 16, 2009,
Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial and Remembrance Plaza

CCAPW leaders and members attended the dedication ceremonies for the Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial. The Memorial was erected at the site where thousands of United States citizens of Japanese ancestry living in California, Oregon and Washington, and family members who emigrated to the States from Japan, were held by government decree following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Assembly Centers like the one in Pinedale served as the first stop for more than 120,000 Japanese Americans on the way to years of forced incarceration at internment camps in Arizona, Wyoming, California and other western states. The outside Memorial is over 7,000 square feet consisting of a fountain and original fountain sculpture, concrete plaza, Japanese landscaping, historical landmark designation plaque, and an interpretive wall of ten storyboards which poignantly illustrate the journey of Japanese American internment and redress. The fountain and remembrance were designed and built by Gerard Tsutakawa, whose father designed two sculptures that anchor Fulton Mall.

An Evening with Kao Kalia Yang, Author of The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

CCAPW held a book reading event welcoming Kao Kalia Yang, Author of The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir, on her visit to Fresno. With over 150 community members in attendance, the event was a testament to the Asian American community's eagerness to support the success of a young, gifted, and inspirational Hmong American writer from Minnesota.

Asian American Leadership Council Mayoral Forum
September 27, 2008

CCAPW leaders and members participated in Fresno's first Mayoral Forum to discuss how mayoral candidates can better meet the needs of the Asian American community and become civically engaged in the political process.

Women Speak Out: Changing the Way Californians Age
September 26, 2008

At the invitation of the Women's Foundation of California, CCAPW participated on a Local Planning Committee to organize a Fresno Speak Out. More than 25% of the participants were API women. This was the first phase of the Elder Women's Initiative, which "aims to build the movement led by elder women and their allies for a California where we can age with well-being, dignity, and economic security."

CCAPW 2010 Board of Directors at the Holiday Luncheon & Annual Meeting at the Thai Lao Palace on December 5, 2009. Front row (from left to right): Wanda Hasadsri, Mai Der Vang, Xee Yang, Maggie Thao, Bernice Kao. Back row (from left to right): Anjali Kapoor-Davis, Ellen Junn, Gena Lew Gong, May Blia Ly, Roberta Barton. Not pictured: Michelle Her, Hiromi Kubo, Marlene Kubota.