Over the years, AAJA Sacramento has been fortunate to be led by dedicated leaders who have worked hard to advance our mission of diversity and inclusion.
AAJA Sacramento was founded in 1985, the fourth chapter to join what is now an organization of more than 1,600 members in 20 chapters across the United States and Asia.
AAJA Sacramento has been recognized with several national AAJA awards, including Chapter of the Year in 2006 and 2010; Sandy Louey named Chapter President of the Year in 2013; and Pamela Wu selected as Member of the Year in 2015.
Chapter history
Chapter co-presidents Judy Lin and Pamela Wu were presented with the award at the national convention in Hollywood. The chapter donated $25,000 to AAJA that year to help reduce the national organization’s budget deficit. AAJA Sacramento also challenged other chapters to match its gift.
Matt Kawahara, a Sacramento native and UC Berkeley graduate, would later join the paper’s staff as a full time sports writer, covering baseball.
A total of 27 photos were featured in the first auction, with 13 from The Sacramento Bee. The fundraiser was held at the 20th St. Art Gallery.
The fundraiser featured chefs Wei Ming Deng of Frank Fat’s Restaurant, Mai Pham of Lemongrass Restaurant, and Brandon Sakamoto of Mikuni Japanese Restaurant Group. It was held at the KVIE studios.
The Sacramento chapter was awarded chapter of the year at the national convention in Honolulu.
Sandy Louey, a senior reporter at the Sacramento Bee, was named AAJA member of the year at the Dallas convention in 2002.
Kimberly Moy, a reporter at the Sacramento Bee, was named AAJA member of the year at the national convention in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
Back row: Lisa Chung, former AAJA executive director, Lonnie Wong, Jeannie Wong, Randall Yip, Kimberly Moy, Cynthia Gouw. Front row: David Ono, Tritia Toyota, AAJA executive director Sandra Michioku, and Sharon Ito.