For Immediate Release: December 9, 2021
Contact: media@napawf.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – NAPAWF applauds the formal launch of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPIs) and congratulates U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on their appointments as co-chairs of the Initiative.

“I am excited to see Ambassador Tai and Secretary Becerra take on leadership roles dedicated to advancing a government-wide agenda for AA and NHPIs. From expanding language access to underscoring the importance of data disaggregation, I look forward to continuing our work together to improve the lives of AA and NHPI women and girls,” said Sung Yeon Choimorrow, Executive Director of National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF). 

Ambassador Tai is one of the highest ranking Asian American officials in the Biden Administration and the first woman of color to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative. Throughout his career, Secretary Becerra has been a longtime champion for AA and NHPI communities.

“By appointing two cabinet members to lead the Initiative, the White House is sending a strong signal on the importance of this work and the growing influence of AA and NHPI communities,” said Choimorrow. 

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The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is the only multi-issue, progressive, community organizing and policy advocacy organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls in the U.S. NAPAWF’s mission is to build collective power so that all AAPI women and girls can have full agency over our lives, our families, and our communities.