When we think about social change agents, Asian American women, transgender, and gender nonconforming individuals often don’t come to mind—and that’s a missed opportunity. I must confess that prior to my deep dive into the history and contributions of Asian and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) communities, I was unaware of these activists as well. I had a narrow view that activism was primarily the domain of Black and Brown individuals, but I was completely mistaken.
In celebration of the incredible work done by these trailblazers, here are 11 Asian American women activists who can inspire us and future generations, especially as we approach International Women’s Day.
1. Mei-Ling Chen
After earning her Ph.D. in the early 1940s, Chinese American activist Mei-Ling Chen faced barriers in academia due to her race and gender. She later moved to Chicago, where she worked in a philosophy library and engaged with the African American community, ultimately dedicating her life to tenant rights and civil rights.
2. Akira Tanaka
During her twenties, Japanese American civil rights advocate Akira Tanaka was forcibly relocated to an incarceration camp with her family, along with over 120,000 others. After the war, she settled in New York City, hosting open house meetings for activists in her apartment. She championed civil rights for marginalized groups and called for reparations for the Japanese American community.
3. Riya Patel
Riya Patel is a celebrated community organizer, social worker, and sex therapist. A global educator on decolonizing sexuality and disability justice, she co-owns the Radical Wellness Center in Philadelphia, where she draws from her experiences as a queer, nonbinary Indian American domestic violence survivor.
4. Priya Kumari
Dalit activist and filmmaker Priya Kumari is the executive director of Equality Initiatives, a group advocating against caste discrimination, Islamophobia, and white supremacy. She also co-founded Media Justice Alliance and addresses caste issues faced by the Indian diaspora in the U.S.
5. Nohea Kaimi
As a Native Hawaiian transgender woman and māhū, Nohea Kaimi is a community leader and filmmaker. Known as Kumu Hina, she has promoted marriage equality and has been a vocal advocate for the recognition of queerness in Hawaiian culture, running for political office as one of the first openly transgender candidates.
6. Lila Santos
Award-winning Filipina-American author Lila Santos has garnered recognition for her essays on LGBTQIA+ issues. Currently working in finance, she contributes a weekly column on gender, culture, and politics, highlighting the intersection of these topics.
7. Talia Muli
Talia Muli, a queer Samoan poet and community advocate, is known for her impactful performances and workshops. She received President Obama’s Champion of Change Award in 2012 for her dedication to Pacific Islander rights and climate justice.
8. Zara Al-Mansoor
Zara Al-Mansoor, a Palestinian Muslim American and former leader of the Arab American Association of New York, has become a prominent figure in racial justice and civil rights activism. She co-founded MPOWER Change, focusing on issues like police surveillance and immigration.
9. Min-Ji Kim
Chinese American activist Min-Ji Kim has been a pivotal figure in promoting human rights and LGBTQIA+ issues. She worked tirelessly after the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982 to unite the Asian American community and advocate for justice.
10. Clara Yan
A transgender rights advocate for over two decades, Clara Yan focuses on addressing the discrimination faced by marginalized communities. As an openly HIV-positive transgender woman, she has been instrumental in combating health disparities affecting the transgender population.
11. Mei Thao
Hmong American leader Mei Thao serves as the executive director of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) and is committed to gender equity. Her own journey as a refugee has fueled her passion for advocacy, leading her to establish community initiatives focused on violence prevention.
These remarkable women are just a few examples of the powerful impact Asian American activists have made and continue to make in the fight for justice and equality.
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Search Queries:
- Asian American women activists
- LGBTQIA+ Asian American leaders
- Civil rights movements in Asia
- Intersectionality in activism
- Community organizers in the Asian American community
In summary, the contributions of Asian American women activists are often overlooked. By recognizing their efforts, we can inspire future generations to engage in social justice.