About Us

Our Beginning
In 1981, a group of community leaders met in Fresno and established Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW). Pioneering members developed the organization by modeling sister Asian and Pacific Islander women’s organizations in Los Angeles and the Bay Area and formed the Central California branch. Today our membership of professionals, educators, health providers, businesswomen, community activist, Asian and Pacific Islander organizational representatives and community leaders continues our mission after 27 years.

CCAPW is here today because of its loyal membership base, committed leaders, and a pride of heritage and community. The participation, leadership and commitment of our members to support young women in their educational endeavors serve to promote our mission, and forged the growth of a respected and visible organization for and with women and girls in California’s Central Valley.

Scholarships
Since 1981, over $75,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 181 of Central California’s Asian and Pacific Islander women. See Scholarship Recipients tab.

Scholarships are available for the following academic year. Deadlines are generally in May and awarded the following July for use during the academic year beginning in Fall semester/quarter. The purpose of the scholarship awards is to provide financial assistance to Asian and Pacific Islander women residing in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced or Tulare Counties. The selection criteria include academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and financial need. Applicants are asked to write short essays in response to three questions to communicate personal experience, academic, and/or special circumstance information. Applicants may be entering, continuing undergraduate, or re-entry students in a college or university. Special awards are also available for students studying in the areas of health, business, or early childhood education. See more information in Scholarships.

Leadership and Networking
Our network of past and current board of directors impressively lists seasoned non-profit professionals, educators, health professionals, businesswomen, and community leaders. While offering financial support to young women graduating from high school, additional resources were provided to women re-entering paths to attain further education or vocational training. In addition to providing financial support, CCAPW members organized and participated in seminars and conferences on women.

Topics over the years have included mental and physical health, financial literacy, and leadership. We have provided opportunities to showcase culture and celebrate our heritage.

In recent years, past scholarship recipients have returned to CCAPW to tell their success stories. They return to become CCAPW members, advisors and leaders. The scholarships awarded to these young women continue to prove to be great investments in our future and in our community. Read about some of these women featured in past newsletters:

Sandy Cha, 2001 recipient (December 2007 newsletter)
Dr. Mymee Her, 1987 recipient (July 2007 newsletter)
Wanda Hasadsri, 1999 recipient (July 2007 newsletter)
Lina Lim Shelly, 1986 recipient (November 2006 newsletter)
Ruthanne Fung, 1982 recipient (July 2006 newsletter)
Kacie Jung Bauzon, 1996 recipient (July 2006 newsletter)
Linath Lim, M.D., 1986 recipient (July 2006 newsletter)

Collaboration
CCAPW has collaborated with national, statewide, and local organizations to expand programs and opportunities for Central Valley organizations, students and the general public including:

Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy
Asian and Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund
California Asian Pacific Islander Policy Summit
California State University, Fresno
Fresno City CollegeFresno City/County Commission on the Status of Women
Fresno E Street Fair
Fresno Tamejavi Festival
Japanese American Citizens’ League
Khmer Society of Fresno
KSEE TV 24 Annual Asian Pacific Islander Portraits of Success
Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP)
National Asian Women’s Health Organization
Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial Project
Southeast Asian Education Conference
Women’s Foundation of California

Central California’s Asian and Pacific Islander community is strengthened by our involvement in and support of community issues and concerns. Our board and members continue to participate and be visible promoters of sister/brother organizations with common goals and missions.

Board Committees
Ours is a working or operating board of directors with no paid staff. Our many committees are led by board directors and staffed by board directors and members. It is extremely critical to have input from our very talented and knowledgeable members. The volunteers that make up the board and committees contribute not only financially but contribute hours and hours of volunteer time to make CCAPW a viable and prosperous community organization.

The Executive Committee is made up of board officers who lead the organization’s planning, represent CCAPW in our community, and as a team conduct the business of the organization with input from the full board and membership.
The Ways and Means Committee identifies strategies for fund raising, works on proposals, and plans/implements fund raising events.
The Membership Committee recruits new members, develops strategies to retain current members, and promotes active engagement of members in new and ongoing projects.
The Newsletter Committee assists the editor in developing a written product that adequately informs our membership, the community, and supporters of how our mission is accomplished through our work in the community.
The Heritage Committee, led by the historian, chronicles the organization’s events.
The Bylaws and Resolution Committee reviews the bylaws to make sure they are relevant to current events and congruent with the mission and vision.
The Government Affairs Committee helps monitor legislation related to concerns of Asian Pacific women and establishes a system to educate the membership.
The Nominations Committee (ad hoc) works closely with the board to identify potential candidates for leadership positions within the organization.
The Scholarship Committee develops and implements the scholarship process from updating the application, notifying students, collecting completed applications, evaluating, and finally, awarding the scholarships.
The Event Committees (ad hoc) coordinate the two main events during the year, the July Scholarship Luncheon and the Holiday Luncheon, and any other special events during the year.