May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time for us to spotlight the incredible diversity, cultures, and histories within the AAPI community. The Asian and Pacific Islander population is the fastest growing racial or ethnic group in the United States. Yet over the last two years, they have faced an intense spike in hate crimes motivated by racism and misinformation.
Why? Our government is still not reflective of its people. Despite AAPI voters breaking voter turnout records last election season, AAPI leaders hold less than 1% of elected office in all levels of government.
That’s why we’re uplifting candidates we think you should know and support – especially Democratic Asian American and Pacific Islander women. We need people in Congress who can speak firsthand about the harms of the model minority myth, address the towering poverty rates among Southeast Asian populations, and make our government reckon with its colonial history that has real and present impact on the AAPI community today.
This week we wanted to highlight a truly inspiring candidate from New York’s 6th district – Grace Meng. Learn more about why she ran for office and how you can support her campaign below!
- A Woman’s Place
About Her District
New York’s 6th district is central to Queens and has a large population of immigrant, low-income and minority families often overlooked and in need of social services to survive.
Rep. Meng continues to advocate for inclusive policies that benefit vulnerable community members, who both Republicans and Democrats often forget or leave out of conversations.
Why She Serves
As a daughter of immigrants and the mom of two young kids, Rep. Meng is running so she can fight for families like hers, with a focus on uplifting the marginalized groups within the diverse district she represents. Whether it is providing access to affordable healthcare, supporting economic growth through small businesses, or increasing access to quality education, Grace Meng is running to serve!
Leadership in Action
Despite the large Asian American population in New York City, particularly in Queens, Rep. Meng was the first Asian American in New York history to represent the state in Congress when she was first elected in 2013. Today, she remains the only Asian American in the New York Congressional delegation and only one of seventeen Asian Americans in Congress.
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We admire Congresswoman Grace Meng and her commitment to continue serving her constituents and AAPI families across the country. |
Join AWP in tearing down the financial barriers running for office today. Donate here.
- A Woman's Place