May is celebrated as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States. As most of the commemorative months, AAPI Heritage Month, formerly Asian Pacific American Heritage Month until 2009, originated in 1992 when then New York Congressmen Frank Hortin introduced the bill that called for the month of May to receive that designation. The month of May was chosen for two reasons: first, to commemorate the first Japanese immigration to the United States on May 7, 1843, and, second, to honor the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was primarily built by Chinese immigrants workers.

The 2021  Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Purpose-Driven Service”. The WTS-Boston Diversity Committee invites all WTS-Boston members to come together as a community in solidarity against the racial violence and hatred directed at the AAPI communities since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us all work together in creating a safe space to heal, educate, and celebrate the richness of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures.

Read the Presidential proclamation on AAPI Heritage Month here.

For commemoration and celebration in Massachusetts, look here.

For a collection of AAPI Heritage Month book recommendations look here.