Her name was Jeanie Jew, and she single-handedly got the ball rolling to get the recognition for all that Asian Americans—and recently added, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians—have done to build this country, and the discrimination many felt throughout our history.

She started the ball rolling as a former DC staffer in 1977, with Rep. Frank Horton introducing the first bill. President Carter signed the first version in 1978, and it has expanded to over the years.

We salute our Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian brothers and sisters, and if you’d be interesting in joining an Issue Organizing Team focused on addressing the concerns of these communities, let us know and we’ll get you connected.

For more on the history of this honorary month, see this Wiki and this Proclamation from the White House.

In solidarity,

Mike Fox for the PDA National Staff