Report and photos from the International Women’s Day Event

On Saturday, supperters from the Chinese, Korean, Japanese and local community came together in Glendale to celebrate International Women’s Day and the “Women Breaking Silence.” 

Click HERE to see the photos and videos from the event!

Reverend Jay Choi led a prayer to remember the recently passed Grandma Kwak.  Glendale Council member Paula Devine welcomed the crowd and delivered a speech about the importance of the International Women’s Day.  The Executive Director of the Armenian American Museum Shant Sahakian, the President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles California Laura Jeon, a leader from the Chinese American community Mark Liu spoke in solidarity.  

Senator Anthony Portantino awarded Phyllis Kim for her contribution in advocating the “Comfort Women” issue.  For the “Woman Breaking Silence Award,” Senator Portantino awarded Traci Kato-Kiriyama, a fierce activist, writer, actor who has recently created and participated in a play Tales of Clamor, a story of breaking silence about the Japanese Internment camp experience.  

Three women from the Chinese community recited a poem, A Bud That Never Blossom, and a choir from the Chinese community sang a song.  A duet from the Occidental College students sang “Quiet” – a song about breaking silence and empowering women.  

We all sang “We shall overcome” holding each other’s hands at the end. 

Attendees also gave individual interviews about why it is important to register “Voices of the ‘Comfort Women'” dossier in the UNESCO’s Memory of the World program.  

This event was a success because of our volunteers who worked behind the scene – Stephanie, Janette, Darby, Edwin Chen, Paul Hsu, Minju, Catherine, Sean, the singers and the choir!! 

Thank you all for your support!!