• WomELLE
  • Contact Us
  • Writers
  • Write For Us
  • Submit Article
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

  • Login
WomLEAD Magazine
Podcast
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Business
  • HER Story
  • Founders & CEOs
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring
  • Women
  • Wellness
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Business
  • HER Story
  • Founders & CEOs
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring
  • Women
  • Wellness
No Result
View All Result
WomLEAD Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home Women Today
Meet AAPI Women Working to Diversify the Ballot

Meet AAPI Women Working to Diversify the Ballot

The Editorial Team by The Editorial Team
June 9, 2022
in Women Today
Reading Time: 3 mins read

Although regarded as the fastest-growing demographic group in the United States, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are grossly under-represented in the nation’s elected offices. Accounting for less than 1% of all elected leaders, this disparity is greatly visible in the criminal justice sector, according to a report.  

A report from the Reflective Democracy Campaign recently revealed that AAPI members made up just 0.9 percent of elected leaders across all levels of government, but 6.1 percent of the population as of mid-2020. In the current Congress, AAPI representation includes Democratic senators Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and 15 representatives, nearly evenly split between men and women.  

Even within the community, Asian American women hold elected office at lower rates than Asian American men. The reasons for such drastic under-representation are often attributed to existing power structures that favor men and male candidates of color. It has also been argued that there is a severe shortage of symbolic representation—where AAPI women rarely see themselves reflected in political leadership.  

AAPI female candidates say that they encounter rampant sexism and racism when running for office. Michelle Au, a Chinese American democrat, was elected to the Republican-controlled Georgia State Senate in 2020 and, to date, remains the only Asian American woman in the State’s senate. Au is one of only 77 state legislators who identify as female AAPI in the entire country, accounting for one percent of the nation’s total 7,383 state legislators. “There lies a huge responsibility in the way I serve in this role, and can sometimes feel like a burden because you feel that a lot of people are looking up to you and counting on you from your community,” Au said.  

Sonia Chang-Diaz, a Massachusetts State senator, who is Latina and Asian American, also voiced her concern over how marginalized people often encounter negative feedback when they step up to run for office. When Chang-Diaz set foot in the Statehouse as the only Asian American over a decade ago, she felt the lack of support and the imminent need for it. In her initial days, she looked for “fellowship and sisterhood” around her as she felt like a lone tiger in the race. The Statehouse now has seven AAPI legislators.  

ADVERTISEMENT

Bee Nguyen became the first Asian American woman in the Georgia State Legislature in 2017. As she was preparing for the election, she realized that many voters would be seeing an AAPI candidate for the very first time. “It was imperative for me to build relationships with voters in my district, and to have those open conversations, so they could see me, and be one with me, and I could lend them a listening ear,” Nguyen said. 

Now, as she prepares herself to run for office as Georgia Secretary of State this month, Nguyen says she is ready to take on the scrutiny that women of color indiscriminately face compared to their white counterparts. She says that they are still considered ‘foreigners’ and don’t trust them withholding government offices.  

Tags: AAPI WomenAsian American womenbusiness insider twitterfood insider twitterinsiderleague of women's voters guide 2020 san antonioMeet AAPI Women Working to Diversify the Ballotmonroe county votingnew york sample ballot 2021who is on my ballot 2021
Share36Tweet22Share6
The Editorial Team

The Editorial Team

Hi there, we are the editorial team for WomELLE to help you succeed in business. WomELLE is a community working to support women by helping them achieve their business goals through specialty services, leadership, mentoring, and networking. The magazine "WomLEAD" is to help you succeed as an entrepreneur, business owner and leader.

Related Posts

Women in Art: A Passionate Fight!
Women Today

Women in Art: A Passionate Fight!

March 27, 2023
Unconventional Professions for Women in 2023
Women Today

Unconventional Professions for Women in 2023

March 23, 2023
Leading Women in Technology in 2022
Women Today

Leading Women in Technology in 2022

March 22, 2023
Next Post
Women Are Better Leaders than Men During Crisis

Women Are Better Leaders than Men During Crisis

Rachel C. Ybarra

Rachel C. Ybarra - A Visionary Executive Closing the Wealth Gap for Women

Redefining Headhunting One Talent at a Time

Redefining Headhunting One Talent at a Time

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

WomLEAD Magazine

A print and digital magazine for businesswomen focusing on leadership, business, and entrepreneurship that made its debut in 2017 has WomELLE Magazine.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • Recap 2022: Key Challenges Faced by Businesses This Year
  • Stepping Into Your Purpose and Unleashing Potential with Tinosh Davarinia
  • Too Shy to Lead? Entrepreneurship Motivation for Female Entrepreneurs

Category

  • Business
  • Female Founders
  • Founders & CEOs
  • HER Story
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring For Women
  • Wellness
  • Women Today

Recent News

Recap 2022: Key Challenges Faced by Businesses This Year

Recap 2022: Key Challenges Faced by Businesses This Year

March 28, 2023
Stepping Into Your Purpose and Unleashing Potential with Tinosh Davarinia

Stepping Into Your Purpose and Unleashing Potential with Tinosh Davarinia

March 28, 2023
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2023 WomLEAD Magazine from WomELLE, Corp.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Podcast
  • Business
  • Founders & CEOs
  • HER Story
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring
  • Wellness
  • Women Today

© 2023 WomLEAD Magazine from WomELLE, Corp.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?