UMB Celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Month
Dear UMB Community,
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time when we highlight the legacies and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States and our University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) community.
Our nation and world are greatly impacted by the dedication and innovation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans. For example, Aruna Miller, the 10th lieutenant governor of Maryland, is the first woman of color, of South Asian descent, and immigrant elected to statewide office in Maryland. She has devoted her life to public service and removing systemic barriers to opportunity. In 1964, Patsy Mink became the first Asian American woman elected to Congress, and her contributions included advancing affordable child care and gender and racial equity. Peter Tsai, a Taiwanese American materials scientist, invented the fabric used in the N95 masks that have been widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During AAPI Heritage Month at UMB, we also affirm our commitment and support for Asian American and Pacific Islander American colleagues and friends as we continue to see a perpetuation of anti-Asian racism and xenophobia against the AAPI community. These incidents reinforce the need to stand in solidarity with our AAPI community and to renew our commitment to advancing belonging, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at UMB and throughout Baltimore, the state of Maryland, and the world.
In partnership and collaboration,
Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, MA
Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer and Vice President, UMB
Professor, Graduate School