On May 1, 2018, Governor Charles D. Baker today signed House Bill 3360, an act designating May as Asian American Pacific Islander Month. The bill was filed by State Representative Tackey Chan (D-Quincy) as an Asian Caucus priority, with caucus members Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus), Representative Paul Schmid, III (D-Westport), Representative Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville), and Representative Rady Mom (D-Lowell). 

May was chosen as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

AAPIs have a long and rich heritage of involvement in the history of the United States. Consider taking the time during the month of May to learn about US history and ask about how AAPIs have played a role in shaping the United States of America.

• AAPI Women in the US: This lecture presents the experiences, voices, and contributions of Asian women in the US, including, intersectional identities and resistance to race, and family/community contexts for health, leadership, and activism.
  • Featuring community organizer and educator, Ngoc-Tran Vu and young advocate, Lily Li-Nagy; moderated by Program Director, Jay Wong. 
• Eid Celebration: This panel presents the significance of Eid through personal stories and experiences. Eid is a special day where Muslims worldwide spend time with their loved ones, making unique dishes, showing gratitude, remembering Ramadan and the charitable sacrifices many Muslims made during the fasting month. 
  • Featuring Commissioner Haniya Syeda and other guests; moderated by Executive Director, Yasmin Forbes Padamsee
• Amplifying Pacific Islander Voices: The details for this discussion are TBA.