Established in 1980, Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW) has emerged as a vital source of empowerment and support for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women throughout the Central Valley. Proudly standing as the sole pan-Asian women’s organization in our region, CCAPW has flourished by remaining attuned to the evolving needs of our community. What began as a grassroots AANHPI women’s group has evolved into a dynamic organization dedicated to uplifting all AANHPI women in their educational, leadership, and professional pursuits. Over the past four decades, CCAPW has embraced diversity across cultures and generations. We are proudly led by a board of directors composed of a multiethnic and multigenerational group of women with deep roots in Central Valley AANHPI communities. As an entirely volunteer-driven organization, we’ve remained dedicated to fostering leadership, visibility, and cross-cultural relationships among AANHPI women, driving significant impact through our scholarship initiatives, community education, and outreach programming. Since our inception, CCAPW has provided over $450,000 in financial assistance to women and girls pursuing higher education, many of whom are from refugee and immigrant families and are the first women in their families to attend college. This initiative has culminated in this year's record-breaking scholarship total of $32,000. Over the years, we’ve also facilitated numerous workshops, panels, and mentorship programs designed to support AANHPI women and girls in achieving their educational and professional goals. The enduring impact of CCAPW can be seen not only in the academic achievements of our former scholarship recipients but also in their return to serve as board members, funders, and volunteers, contributing to the organization's growth and sustainability. As we look to the future, we hope to build on our rich history of women leaders of all ages from diverse ethnic backgrounds and professions. We remain steadfast in our commitment to amplifying the voices and achievements of AANHPI women.
