AAPI Heritage Month
The recognition of Asian American & Pacific Islander Month was inspired by Jeanie Jew, whose great-grandfather, M.Y. Lee, had contributed to the Transcontinental Railroad, along with many other Chinese immigrants. He went on to live through a period of strong anti-Asian sentiment in the U.S., which included the Chinese Massacre of 1871 and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Through years of pushing in the political sphere, Jew played an instrumental role in the establishment of this commemorative month. The month of May was chosen to commemorate: 1) the first known Japanese immigrant arrivals to the U.S., and 2) the completion of the transcontinental railroad that many Chinese workers contributed greatly to, on May 10, 1869. Here are some ways to celebrate our heritage!