The Fred Yee Citizens Award

Michael Chen

Mr. Chen is an immigrant who came to Seattle in February of 1984. He was the former President of the National Gee How Oak Tin Association.

To help build the China Gate archway in Seattle’s Chinatown/ID, he helped to raise the startup funds of over US$50,000. Together with Mr. Fay Hong and Mr. Conrad Lee, he laid the foundation stone for the Gate, ultimately facilitating its successful completion and adding an important cultural landmark to Chinatown.

During major disasters such as the Wenchuan earthquake in China and the South Asian tsunami, Michael actively mobilized the Chinese American community to donate funds for disaster relief.

He also donates to the Seattle Chinese Garden community.

He actively supported Chinese American political participation by contributing to the successful elections of Gary Locke for Governor of Washington State and Tanya Woo for Seattle City Council.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, he mobilized the Chinese American community to support the anti-epidemic efforts in Wuhan and other cities in China. Locally, Gee How Oak Tin Association provided free room and board for one month to 30 Chinese students stranded in the U.S. For his service to the stranded Chinese students, Michael was twice invited to Beijing in a show of their appreciation for this American.

Amy Chen Lozano

Amy Chen Lozano immigrated to Seattle with her family in 1983. They lived in the apartments above Linyen Café where her mother made almond cookies. Growing up in Seattle’s Chinatown, she was recruited into the Chinese Community Girls Drill team by former councilmember Cheryl Chow where she learned about the value of serving her community.

Amy took those lessons to heart. She is the co-founder of CID Cares, an annual event now in their 4th year of serving the elderly and non-English speaking community in the CID. Amy is also the founder and administrator for the Facebook group and Instagram page for “Save Our Seattle-Chinatown-International District-Community United”, a social media platform dedicated to promoting CID events and businesses as well as uplifting the CID community.

In addition to serving as guardian for her brother, managing her parent’s finances, being a wife and mother of three and working a regular day job, Amy serves on four boards. She is on the Board of Trustees for Chong Wa Benevolent Association and liaison for the annual CID Spring Clean Up. She serves as Board member and Treasurer for OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates of Greater Seattle and liaison for the Edwin M Lee Memorial Golf Tournament and the CID Vision Group. She is a Board member and Treasurer for Seattle Chinese Athletic Association. And as of 2026, she was elected to the Board of Historic South Downtown, advocating for the preservation and revitalization of historic districts of Chinatown-International District and Pioneer Square.

Tanya Woo

Tanya Woo is a fifth-generation Seattleite, community advocate, small business owner, and former Seattle City Councilmember dedicated to preserving the cultural and economic vitality of the Chinatown International District (CID) and South Seattle. A descendant of one of the first Chinese American families to settle in Seattle in 1887, Tanya grew up working in her family’s bakery in the CID, where she developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing immigrant communities and small businesses.

With a background in historic preservation and housing development, Tanya has led efforts to rehabilitate a legacy building into affordable housing while protecting the character of the neighborhood. She has also been a driving force in grassroots public safety initiatives, including organizing a community watch group focused on prevention, mutual aid, and culturally competent responses. Her work has centered on supporting vulnerable residents, reducing displacement, and strengthening neighborhood resilience.

Appointed to the Seattle City Council in 2024, Tanya brought a pragmatic, community-first approach to policymaking, advocating for balanced solutions that prioritize safety, economic opportunity, and accountability. She is honored to carry forward the legacy of those who came before her and remains committed to uplifting and protecting our communities for generations to come.

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation of Seattle

In 1966, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, then a nun in her twenties, inspired 30 women in Taiwan to set aside two cents from their grocery budgets daily in bamboo banks to help others. From these humble beginnings, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation has grown into a global humanitarian organization dedicated to putting compassion into action. To date, Tzu Chi has delivered aid to 139 countries and regions worldwide.

In the U.S., Tzu Chi serves communities through its four core missions: charity, medical care, education, and disaster relief. The heart of Tzu Chi is in its name: in Chinese, “tzu” means compassion, and “chi,” relief.

Through its charity mission, Tzu Chi provides both immediate and long-term support for individuals and families in need, including food assistance, financial aid, and community-based programs that uplift and transform.

Through its medical mission, Tzu Chi expands access to care for underserved populations through clinics, mobile outreach, and international medical missions led by the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA).

Through its education mission, Tzu Chi nurtures the next generation through academies, schools, scholarships, and character education programs that foster both academic growth and moral development.

Through its disaster relief mission, Tzu Chi responds to crises worldwide, providing emergency aid and supporting long-term recovery, guided by the principle of being “first to arrive and last to leave.”

Across all efforts, volunteers offer not only material assistance, but care delivered with sincerity and respect — often inspiring those they serve to extend compassion within their own communities.