US Government honoured 15 AAPI Women as Champions of Change

The US government on 6 May 2013 honoured 15 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women as champions of change in recognition of their important contribution to the community. This includes two Indian-Americans; Aparna Bhattacharyaa from Atlanta and Pramila Jayapal from Wahington State.

Aparna Bhattacharyya is the Executive Director of Raksha, in Atlanta. She is a passionate advocate for immigrant survivors of family and sexual violence and plays a key role in providing them access to safety, justice and healing. Aparna at present is a board member for the Georgia Coalition against Domestic Violence, VIDA Legal Assistance and the National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project.

Pramila Jayapal founded the non-profit organization OneAmerica in the aftermath of 9/11. One America is the largest immigrant advocacy organisation in Washington State.

Pramila at present is the Distinguished Taconic Fellow at Center for Community Change and a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Washington Law School. The Champions of Change programme honours groups of Americans, individuals, businesses and organisations, who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.

Other awardees of the Champions of Change are; Minh Dang from California; Catherine Eusebio from California; Atsuko Toko Fish from Boston, Lusiana Tuga Hansen from Alaska, Myrla Baldonado from Chicago, Arline Loh from Delaware, Mia Mingus from California, Natalie Nakase from Los Angeles, Mary Frances Oneha from Hawaii, Nancy Tom from Chicago, Karen Suyemoto from Boston, Van Ton-Quinlivan from California and Shireen Zaman from Washington, DC.