Courage During COVID

The experiences of our communities need to be heard now more than ever. As part of our ongoing response efforts to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are launching Courage During COVID, a series of stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in Oregon who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and are engaging in critical relief efforts in response to the pandemic. The series seeks to highlight the real effects of COVID-19 on API communities, elevate the stories of those who are leading meaningful and impactful work, and inspire our communities to continue working together to protect each other now and in the future.

This is an important moment to collectively and radically dream of a future - our future - that is more just and equitable for our communities.

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, we will specifically spotlight the efforts of Asian and Pacific Islander Womxn Leaders throughout the month. COVID-19 has shown us that who we trust to lead us matters. API womxn have always led our communities through uncertain times, and COVID-19 is no different. Womxn all over the globe are disproportionately affected by this crisis as many have been deemed essential workers - in social services, healthcare, delivery, and more - womxn have been leading and working to care for their communities.

It is our honor to be able to uplift the voices, work, and leadership of womxn in our community, and we are excited to highlight these leaders in May: Hannah Kim, Grace Henricks and Carol Lee, Annie, Alyshia Macaysa, Virginia Luka, Sandra Jeong-Lane, Jenny Chu, Malo Ala’ilima, Kittie Kong, Olivia, Yahong Neirynck and BeiLei Zhu, and Wanna Lei.

Stay tuned to APANO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to recognize and learn about the courageous and inspiring efforts that these leaders are taking to support our communities during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read all the stories by following our Courage During COVID tag on our website or clicking the links below:

• Keep on Pushing – a Talk on Resilience with Malo Ala’ilima
• We Belong at the Table: Grace and Carol Talk Leadership During COVID-19
• Power is Supporting Each Other: A Conversation with Wanna Lei
• Sound the Alarm: Virginia Luka on Pacific Islander Health in Oregon
• Giving Back to Community, a Conversation with Annie
• Yahong, Beilei, and the Journey to 10,000 Masks Made with Love
• We can achieve together what we can’t alone: a talk with Sandra Jeong
• Resiliency is Spaciousness – a Talk with Jenny Chu
• Our Health Should Not Be Tied to Race or Class – A Conversation with Alyshia Macaysa
• Make some noise with Kittie Kong!
• People are the First Defense! A Conversation with Olivia
• API Womxn in Leadership Series – Hannah Kim

Our Courage During COVID series will also feature three online community conversations for BIPOC. Join us on May 6, 2020 for the first of these events on the topic of "Community Resilience." Register at bit.ly/resiliencematters



This programming message brought to you by APANO Communities United Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.