OCA Announces 2012 OCA Unsung Heroes Awardees

OCA Announces 2012 OCA Unsung Heroes Awardees 




WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCA, a national organization dedicated to advancing the political, social, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), is proud to announce its 2011-2012 OCA Unsung Heroes presented by Buick.

“Our four outstanding awardees are individuals who selflessly serve their chapters and communities, never expecting thanks but are always reliable,” said OCA National President Ken Lee, “with the generous support of Buick, we are honored to have this opportunity to recognize them with the Unsung Heroes Award for their dedication to OCA’s mission and advancing Asian Pacific Americans as a visible and integral part of their communities.”
                             
The awardees will be recognized during the OCA Gala Awards being held on Saturday, August 4, 2012, during OCA’s annual National Convention in Las Vegas, NV. OCA members will have the opportunity to hear about the contributions each Unsung Hero made in 2011 and help celebrate the spirit of volunteerism while promoting OCA’s mission.

"Buick is honored to return as the sponsor of the OCA Unsung Heroes Award," said Eric Peterson, Vice President of GM Corporate Diversity. "We are proud to recognize all of the deserving volunteers who work to advance the Asian Pacific American community and celebrate their accomplishments."

The 2011-2012 Unsung Heroes Awardees are as follows:

Clara Chiu (OCA-Greater Los Angeles) has been a member of the Greater Los Angeles chapter for over 10 years and has served on both the chapter board and as a full-time staff member during this time. She has worked tirelessly to organize and manage events and programs for the chapter such as their annual Image Awards and the Asian Pacific American Community Holiday Toy Drive and Reception. Clara has also guided and mentored both the inaugural 2010-11 Civil Rights Fellow and the 2011-12 Fellow at the GLA office; she is always willing to assist and answer any questions they had. Clara has always represented the chapter with the utmost care and professionalism, helping to establish a presence and reputation for OCA in the Greater Los Angeles community.Susie Yuen (OCA-New York) has been a member of the New York chapter for more than 9 years and currently serves as the chapter’s Co-Treasurer. A talented photographer, Susie captured all of OCA-NY’s 2011 sponsored events and activities, ranging from theatre outings, citizenship trainings, tri-state OCA-NY picnic in New Jersey, marches, and the Vincent Chin Memorial in Columbus Park, Manhattan. Beyond sharing her gift of photography, Susie also shared her civic, work, and family connections with OCA-NY to help make events successful and well-attended. From purchasing over 1,500 fortune cookies to pass out at the Lunar New Year parades to taking over 1,000 photos at the OCA National Convention, Susie continuously shows her boundless energy and willingness to help OCA-NY and OCA.

Victoria Ma (OCA-Greater Houston) has been a member of the Greater Houston chapter for 9 years and formerly served on the OCA-GH Board of Directors. She has been an instrumental member as she has provided a majority of the coordination for chapter events and has created almost every piece of print material involving graphic design/layout since 2003. She also volunteers her national anthem singing and emceeing capabilities to OCA-GH community partners which has helped the chapter gain visibility. Victoria donates so much of her time and effort to OCA-GH and the greater APA community because of her belief in the importance of growth for the APA community and the need for an organization like OCA.

Wooiyi Yin (OCA-Georgia) has been a member of the Georgia chapter for over 28 years and currently serves on the Board of Directors and as the Chair of the OCA-Georgia Advocacy & Civic Engagement Committee. A tireless champion for equitable treatment and prosperity of APAs and other minorities in the South, she has worked on many OCA-Georgia initiatives including organizing a large network of coalition partners to advocate against Georgia House Bill 87. Additionally, she helped ensure APA voting rights and protection by running a number of naturalization ceremony voter registration drives. Wooiyi has also served as a mentor to countless individuals and continues to motivate and inspire community leaders to follow in her footsteps to champion the rights of APAs in Georgia.