Four graduates of the APAWLI Leadership Program, Anni Chung, Tessie Guillermo, Yvonne Lee and Melinda Yee are organizing a series of training sessions for young API women. "There is so much potential in San Francisco and the Bay area for API women to take up their issues," Tessie explains. "We hope to develop a conscious cadre of young women just starting their careers, by exposing them to veteran women who've already been active in community, political, and policy work on API issues."

The group plan a kickoff session with a keynote speaker and reception at the end of June 1998. They will recruit partners from among the established API support groups in the area, looking for co-sponsors and for referrals of both trainers and trainees. Then they will produce five training sessions, starting in September. Undoubtedly some of the women who participate will find their way into APAWLI's programs, as well.

Annie, Melinda, Tessie and Yvonne hope to create a model for other regions. Essentially, they want other API women to have a benefit they got from their APAWLI Fellowship--sisterhood. Anni says, "We want to spread the net a little wider. Our API sisters really become a strong link we can rely on. I have my Fellows constantly involved in my decision-making. It's as if we have a secret understanding. That is so powerful."

"We want to spread the net a little wider."
-Anni Chung