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
“Actor Sab Shimono is one of Sacramento’s own. A graduate of Sacramento High School, Shimono first studied medicine at UC Berkeley before he realized that acting was in his blood.” (excerpt from event program)
The event was held at the Woodlake Inn in Sacramento, and featured Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara, sister of the slain Philippine opposition leader Benigno Aquino, Jr.
The event offered career tips and was held at Sacramento City College.
A media guide first written and edited by Bill Sing with the Los Angeles Times and Karen Lee in 1982 was revised for the Sacramento area by members of AAJA Sacramento and the California Chicano News Media Association. The new guide was printed by The Sacramento Bee.
From left to right: Janice Torres, Sandra Gin, unidentified, board member Edd Fong, board member Corrine Fat, Bob Nishizaki, Sharon Ito, board member Lonnie Wong, chapter president Judy Tachibana, Tony Acosta, Barbara Takei, and board member Sydney Kohara.
The first AAJA Sacramento gathering was an informal meeting at Sacramento Bee reporter Judy Tachibana’s home.