Korean Women’s Association 40^th Anniversary

“Giving Voice to the Voiceless”

October 10^th, 2012

At
The Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center

(You may turn off the music with the controler provided in below)

Last October 10^th, 2012, Korean Women’s Association held the 40^th Anniversary Celebration at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402.  700 people attended this special event including dignitaries:

Most of the Korean American Community Leaders and many organizations have participated to attended this special event with the following: There are many other organizations may not be on this lists.

Exciting KWA 40TH Celebration started at 11:40 am and the program which was led by MC, Mary Nam Anchor, KOMO4 News with an extraordinary performance with saying that An 87-year-old man is safe and comfortable in his new apartment adjacent to a transit center.  A Vietnamese couple dance, sing, have their blood pressure checked and eat a healthy meal while conversing with others in their native tongue. A man brings his wife with Alzheimer’s disease to a day care center to participate in activities to enhance her physical and mental health. A disabled man is helped into his wheelchair by his caregiver.

MC, Mary Nam Anchor, KOMO4 News also stressed that A  Latina woman and her daughter leave their abuser and seek safe shelter. A Korean woman with breast cancer has a reliable person to support her at every stage of her cancer experience and to access culturally sensitive health care providers. A recent Cambodian immigrant learns English, gains citizenship, security and public health benefits.  

MC, Mary Nam Anchor, KOMO4 News said that  "This Is why we’re here today... "

She continued saying that We are here to celebrate the life changing work of KWA, its rich history and 40 years of service to a community in need. We are here to learn about KWA’s myriad of programs. We are here to honor the lives that have been changed.  And, we are here to join KWA hand in hand to be a voice for the voiceless and raise funds for social services.

The 40th KWA Anniversary Celebration program was included influential speakers, entertainment from KWA’s Board of Directors, a KWA film, life changing client testimonies, a keynote address from Jesse Jones, King 5 News and let’s not forget the authentic Korean meal.

KWA 40th Anniversary EMCEE, Mary Nam Anchor, KOMO4 News and KWA Board Pia Seeger

EMCEE, Mary Nam Anchor, KOMO4 News, introduced PI bank to present the check $10,000 to KWA for their special sponsorship for the 40th Anniversary to celebrate together:

MC, Mary Nam Anchor, KOMO4 News  invited Reverend Samuel Lee to the stage for an invocation. After Invocation of Rev. Samuel Lee, meanwhile, She introduced KWA Board Chair, Chong Dameron for Introduction and recognition of Service presented by KWA Board Chair, Chong Dameron, greeted to the audience expressing special appreciation to the each one of who supports KWA and front and behind the scene. 

KWA Board Chair, Chong Dameron also introduced board members and Presented appreciation awards to KWA Boards:  Dori Synn and Jennie Lee for their 30 years of service for KWA as volunteers. 

KWA Board Chair, Chong Dameron Presented appreciation awards to
KWA Boards:  Dori Synn and Jennie Lee for their 30 years of service for KWA as volunteers. 

Meanwhile, KWA Board members surprised with an angelic of voice choir  and accompanied piano by Eliot Kim with a Korean Folk Song, Arirang, and You are my sunshine song to the audience.  The Audience gave big hands to the KWA Board members and praised “WOW” when they are completed their special songs with their beatiful Korean traditional dress. It was a special moment for the audiance.

KWA Board members singing  "You are my sunshine"

KWA Executive Director, Peter Ansara’s special greetings’ Changing Lives, One Person at a time was special to the audience and inspirational. It is for sure that we sure can be impressed by someone who does something big for themselves, but we can only be inspired by someone who does something big for another.  Meanwhile, the Building a Bridge Across cultures: Embracing The Fragile & Voiceless presented with a KWA film.

From Left, guest, guest, KACCWA, President Seo Yong,  KWA Executive Director, Peter Ansara,
Senator Paull Shin and Mrs. Ansara.

Many audience were tearing and moved by the KWA client’s testimonials by Hee Jung Kang and Charles Lyle.  Hee Jung Kang described her suicidal which was so many years of depression and giving up her life has overcome by KWA “We are Family” Program support and now she wish to become a social service worker after completion of University of Washington State which inspired by the KWA.

KWA client’s testimonials by Hee Jung Kang

Emcee, MC, Mary Nam Anchor, KOMO4 News introduced

Charles Lyle’s testimonial was also another sad story and emotional whose wife was an Alzheimer's disease and passed away in March, 2012.  He described that his wife visited twice a week at KWA day care for Alzheimer's place was her joy and meeting friends at KWA and have lunch together for so many years.  Although, his wife is passed away, he still enjoys KWA and come to “KWA seniors day care center” every twice a week.

KWA Client testimonial by Charles Lyle

Keynote speaker, King 5 News, your Consumer News, Reporter, and KWA ambassador, who is TV personality Jesse Jones made strong statement was that “you could drive for two or three hours and still be under the umbrella of KWA” His also expressed that his leadership came from his mother who has received so many years of support by KWA which the true legacy of KWA for him.  He also expressed that He may helping one a day but, He admired and inspired of 40 years of driving KWA leadership who are helping thousands a day. “Great time to be alive and it’s a great time to live” encouraged carry on great leadership of great legacy….

Keynote speaker, King 5 News, your Consumer News, Reporter, and KWA ambassador

Finally, Jesse Jones announced the drawing ticket winners for two Asiana tickets and Korean Air line ticket which were contributed for the KWA 40^th Celebration sponsoring by the Asiana Airline and Korean Airline for round trip of South Korea.  Pierce County Executive Pat Mcarthy drew the drawing tickets.

County Executive Pat Mcarthy drew the drawing tickets.

Two winners of Asiana Tickets with Asiana Asiana Seattle General Manager, Kim Tae Yup

Korean Air General Manager, I. J. Kim also presented to Korean Airline ticket winner.

Jesse Jones requested and introduced The Most surprise and very much incredible, Senator Paull Shin to come front of the stage who were trying to walk away after he contributed surprise generous $10,000.00 to the KWA.

Senator Paull Shin, expressed that he just a humble man who were made in Korea but, raised grew up and success in America when he had nothing even family which admired by KWA which the true inspirational giver of KWA rescue mission for care giving and taking care of the needs in our community.

Senator Paull Shin’s contribution will be helping so many people including with other sponsors for the 40^th Celebration with the following:

Exciting KWA 40th Anniversary Celebration luneon menu was carefully selected with taste of Korea food SSam bob which is bulgoki with wraped lettuces and sponsored by ROK Korean Consulate.  Many consuls and staff has supported  behind the scene with The Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, Catering manager, Nadeau, Monique L which was the first ever been introduced Korean food  and many people as many 700 in their history.

ROK Consul Kwon and Consul interns

KWA Board Sandra Englund and The Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, 
Catering manager, Nadeau, Monique

For closing, KWA President Eunice Jong appreciated to the audience for their participating the special event and support of KWA mission and giving abundant life for supporting the voice for the voice less.

Closing Remarks, KWA President Eunice Jong

It is KWA Board and officers's Special appreciation expression by making the center pieces of flowers, KWA appreciates sponsors and many other partners and participants even many other sponsors who are supporting KWA behind the scene.

KWA has 40 years of serving underserved areas since 1972, which has served low-income ethnic minority populations who are often the most vulnerable segment of American society. Their language and cultural barriers can prevent successful integration into traditional American culture. Regardless of their race or ethnic background, KWA seeks to increase the quality of life for all people in need. Today, KWA serves over 40 nationalities. You may see more detail via this link

Sources: KWA catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, October 12,  2012, Rev. 15, 2012