Women Making a Difference

Gum Moon Women's Residence/Asian Women's Resource Center is delighted to announce our Annual Fundraising Gala, which will be held on Saturday, September 16th, 2023, 12:00 PM PDT, at Far East Café. This year's event, "Women making a Difference," will be an intimate in-person gathering with lunch and entertainment. We will also recognize the following individuals for their contributions to the Asian community and to Gum Moon/AWRC: 

MONA LISA YUCHENGCO - 2023 Outstanding Asian Woman Award

GERRYE WONG - 2023 Outstanding Community Service Award

 KATHERINE KIM - 2023 Carol Lee Award 

To learn more about Gum Moon's programs and services, as well as our impact in the community, please visit our blog at www.gummoon.org/news. 

  NINA LIM

Nina Lim was born and raised in the Bay Area. She is a recent graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Class of 2023. As a musician, she masters singing, drums, violin, percussion, guitar and piano-transitioning between instruments seamlessly. Active in jazz, orchestra, and more, she extends into rock, funk and folk bands. The "Mystery of Love" piano-violin duet with her sister as Classically Contempo reached 1M hits on YouTube and Spotify. Besides instrumental prowess, she pens and produces tracks like "Blue Rhapsody" and "San Francisco" on Spotify. Adept at crafting melodies, she led her college a cappella group, InterVals. With diverse experience, Nina's pragmatic, genre-spanning music captivates and shares her passion widely.

CIRCUS MODERN

Circus Modern is a nouveau cirque performance collective and talent agency. They transform events with fearless cirque and fire entertainment; other-worldly entertainers, epic costumes, artistry of flow, and customized interactive and immersive entertainment for all events. Their nouveau cirque acts combine flow arts with athleticism and haute couture circus costumes.

They amp up the energy and deliver the fun! Circus Modern is truly a magical and transformative experience.

2023 Outstanding Asian Woman Award - MONA LISA YUCHENGCO

Mona Lisa Yuchengco, a trailblazer in the Filipino American community, has made significant contributions through media, philanthropy, and advocacy.

Founding Filipinas Magazine in 1992, Yuchengco steered it to national prominence until 2005. Her editorial brilliance facilitated discourse on the Filipino American experience. In 2010, she embraced the digital realm with PositivelyFilipino.com, ensuring her storytelling prowess persisted.

Beyond media, Yuchengco's altruism shines. In 1986, she established Philippine International Aid (PIA), a nonprofit enriching underprivileged Filipino children's lives through education. PIA annually enrolls 2,500 children, a testament to Yuchengco's commitment to empowering future generations.

Yuchengco's accolades extend from literary excellence to community dedication. In 2002, she was honored with a Presidential Citation for fostering enlightened dialogue on the Filipino American experience. California Senator Jackie Speier recognized her as "Woman of the Year" in 2005.

Yet, Yuchengco is more than awards. She's a fierce advocate for ethnic and gender equality, amplifying Asian American visibility through roles in pivotal organizations like Asian Pacific Fund and Center for Asian American Media (CAAM).

Her filmmaking journey started in 2009 at Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute. Her debut documentary, "66 years, 2 months, 21 days... and still counting," premiered at the 2010 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.

"Marilou Diaz-Abaya: Filmmaker on a Voyage," her subsequent documentary, reverently portrays the director's resilience against a life-threatening illness. It resonated at prestigious film festivals, reflecting Yuchengco's commitment to impactful storytelling.

A noteworthy entry is "Right Footed," a 2015 documentary co-produced by Yuchengco. It chronicles Jessica Cox's awe-inspiring journey as a Filipino American born without arms. The film garnered recognition, including the Best Documentary award at the Mirabile Dictu Film Festival at the Vatican.

Mona Lisa Yuchengco's legacy is one of journalistic excellence, community advocacy, and transformative documentaries. Her ongoing dedication enriches the Filipino American narrative, serving as a beacon for equality and positive change.

 2023 Outstanding Community Service Award - GERRYE WONG

Gerrye Wong has dedicated her life to preserving Chinese American history. As a fourth-generation Chinese American, she's deeply committed to promoting and celebrating her cultural heritage. In the 1970s, she taught in the San Jose Moreland School District and organized annual Chinese culture workshops.

Her passion for history led her to co-found the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, resulting in the Chinese American Historical Museum's establishment in San Jose in 1991, which she later gifted to the city.

Writing became Gerrye's lifelong passion when she received her first typewriter at 8. As a 13-year-old, she became president of the Alan Ladd Fan Club, gaining recognition for her 1940s Fan Club Magazine. This ignited her writing passion, which she still dedicates time to.

After Oakland High School and college at UC Berkeley and the University of Michigan, Gerrye became a reading specialist and elementary school teacher in Oakland and San Jose.

Married to Calvin Wong, a Fortune Cookie Factory owner and engineer, she contributed to publications like "ASIAN WEEK" for two decades. She co-authored "Eternal Spring" and "Chinese in San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley," donating all proceeds to non-profits.

In retirement, she continues writing for www.dingdingtv.com, Gentry Magazine, and Chinatown News. As a mother of two, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of one, Gerrye co-founded Chi Am Circle in 1965, initiating a scholarship program awarding over $100,000 annually to 40 students. She serves on non-profit boards, including the Chinese Historical Society of America and Self Help for the Elderly.

Amid her busy schedule, Gerrye finds time for leisure, enjoying family travel and weekly golf. She draws inspiration from younger players, pushing herself to remain active and engaged.

2023 Carol Lee Award - KATHERINE KIM

Katherine is an exceptional individual whose life has been dedicated to service, advocacy, and community engagement. Her journey began over five decades ago when she embarked on a new chapter in a foreign land with just $50 in hand. Despite the challenges of limited English and being unfamiliar with the United States, Katherine's determination led her to pursue a degree in pharmacy at the University of Washington in Seattle.

After her successful career as a pharmacist spanning 36 years at Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Katherine's commitment to making a difference extended beyond the medical field. She embraced her roles as a deaconess and social worker, embodying the values of love, justice, and service. Her involvement with the United Methodist Women (UMW) has been pivotal, and she played key roles within the organization's structures, serving on various committees and taking on leadership responsibilities. Notably, she shared the stories of Gum Moon, effectively engaging the Korean American community and inspiring volunteer participation.

Katherine's dedication to philanthropy and community service is evident in her hands-on contributions. She knitted scarves and baby blankets, touching the lives of residents and toddlers within her program. Her creativity and compassion extended to establishing a Senior Ministry at her local church, fostering a space for connection, worship, exercise, arts, and camaraderie among seniors. Despite facing challenges and limited support, Katherine's initiative left a lasting legacy that continues to impact her community positively.

Katherine's pursuit of education did not stop with her pharmacy degree. She furthered her studies, earning a B.A. in Psychology, Sociology, and Art from San Jose State University, with aspirations of obtaining a Master's degree in Social Work. Her journey, however, took a different turn due to personal circumstances. Despite this, her commitment to learning and growth remained steadfast.

As a real estate investor and an avid traveler, Katherine's financial acumen and adventurous spirit have further enriched her life. Her passion for mission trips and combining them with her travels showcases her dedication to making a global impact. Her involvement with domestic violence advocacy groups for over two decades highlights her commitment to social justice and support for vulnerable individuals.

Katherine's resilience, leadership, and continuous pursuit of giving back serve as an inspiring testament to the power of dedication and compassion. As she continues to engage with various committees, networks, and causes, her legacy of service remains an integral part of her identity. With a vibrant spirit and a heart full of gratitude, Katherine embraces life's opportunities and challenges, leaving an indelible mark on all she touches.

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