OUR TAKEAWAYS

Richelle: These women are all so incredible, and it's been such an honor to not only be able to hear, but also share their stories. These interviews have been inspiring, and even personally healing, from hearing about the lived experiences of women in my AANHPI community and seeing how our unique journeys are all interconnected. I felt so empowered by the rich insights and pieces of advice the women I interviewed have shared about being the most authentic version of yourself, finding your voice as a whole-person leader, and mentoring others to help them explore that within themselves as well. The APAWLI fellows will surely leave behind such powerful legacies. This project has shown how important it is that we continue sharing their narratives, and those of other AANHPI women, to make sure their legacies live on.

Roberta: The experience of interviewing the APAWLI fellows had pushed me to further understand and embrace the aspect of being a part of the AANHPI community within and also outside of the community. Through the interviews, I realized the importance of individuality, representation, having a voice, and holding space. I learned that it is acceptable to hold spaces and be your individual self while still existing and belonging under the AANHPI umbrella. I am inspired, empowered, and strengthened by these women and their narratives and legacy will live on through me.

Vishni: The interviews conducted allowed me to further understand the importance and the process that is behind finding your voice as a young AANHPI-American woman and leader. Often being the only Asian American women in a position of leadership or in a predominantly white space can pose many challenges that leave room for fear and doubt. The women I interviewed helped me to realize that there is considerable time and effort that goes into cultivating your voice, and that instead of pushing away fear and doubt, be cognizant of it and grow from it. The APAWLI fellows are inspiring leaders passionate about their fields of work and the ways in which they can support and enhance their communities. I know that they will leave a legacy that aspiring, young, AANHPI women leaders will honor and look up to.

Aashna: After interviewing the APAWLI fellows, the importance of mentorship was impressed upon me. Having a mentor who can guide you through experiences such as imposter syndrome, the model minority myth, and exploring your identity both as an AANHPI and American— challenges that both the women I interviewed faced— is incredibly valuable when you are a burgeoning leader and professional. Both APAWLI fellows emerged from the program as leaders who not only better understood their identity as individuals, but also as members of a larger family and sisterhood that they knew would help guide them in both their professional and personal lives. I am greatly appreciative of the opportunity to learn from the APAWLI fellows I interviewed and to have joined a larger community within CAPAL this summer.

Angie: Growing up, I didn't have a lot of Asian female role models to look up to (either in popular media or in real life) who really understood my interests in women's rights, social justice, and politics as well as being cognizant of what it meant to be an AANHPI woman who broke stereotypes and went "against the grain" so to speak. Through these interviews, I had the opportunity to talk to amazing and inspiring AANHPI women who I wish I had met sooner. In the interviews, I learned about the importance of sisterhood within the Asian communities as well as staying true to yourself, self care, and the experience of growing up with immigrant parents that made us all a bit tougher and instilling a sort of drive and hunger in us to achieve great things. I am so honored to have been able to listen to the fellows' insight and share our experiences with each other.