Ashley Alday, 20's Everett, WA she/her Current Role: Social Worker, King County - Children, Youth, and Young Adults
What racial, ethnic, cultural community or communities do you identify with? Filipina - American. Tell us about your family story. Both my parents were born in the Philippines and immigrated to Guam when they were young adults. I was born in Guam and moved to Washington when I was very young. Guam will forever hold a piece of my heart, but Everett did one hell of a job raising me and providing me with memorable experiences. What are the strengths and challenges of being Asian American/Pacific Islander? A strength of being Asian American/Pacific Islander are our family values, community ties and connection, our traditions/culture/history, and our FOOD! A challenge is the battle in adapting and merging two different cultures and accepting our own identity. Figuring out who we are, where we fit in, and choosing what’s best for our own well-being. I believe our challenges are too complex to fit into a few sentences, but our strengths will continue to dominate! What is your proudest accomplishment? I’m proud of all and any accomplishments I have made because life is hard, so why not be proud of it all? Some of my proudest are: Being the first in my family to graduate from higher education, breaking my family's cycle of poverty, owning a home at 23 (blessed!), and now having the ability and capacity to work on my generational and internal healing. Reflecting on how you grew up, what did you learn or appreciate from your family? That love is all you need to thrive. Love for your family, love for strangers, love to those who harm you, love to everyone around you. Learning that helped shape painful experiences into motivation to do better, be better, and love harder. Do you speak your family's native language? Why or why not? I understand fully, read and write some, and can speak when necessary (but the embarrassment is real). Why? Because I was taught at a young age that I wouldn’t be as successful as my peers if I didn’t learn English and ONLY English (Yes, my 3rd grade teacher ACTUALLY told my parents I HAD to forget my language). It’s completely absurd and I wish had known better and kept my language; I would have loved being multi-lingual. What advice do you have for the younger generations in our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community? We are here for you and don’t you forget that! Seek support, ask questions, be curious, it’s okay to embrace your imperfections because we all have 'em! What gives you the greatest joy in life? Seeing smiles on the faces of my loved ones. I enjoy laughing, spreading love, and just being with people who love to do the same. Knowing that my loved ones are able to experience love and laughs brings pure joy to my heart! (And food, duh. lol) Are there any projects you have created that you'd like to share and promote? If you would like to share your voice as a person of color, please read the directions and fill out this form here. All ages, backgrounds, and generations welcome. Thank you!
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Who are we?
Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander voices in our communities. Our Why
This is a section for AAPI specifically because, coming from our Khmer culture, we often feel invisible in various spaces from school to the media. We want to show the ways in which we are the same and different, and that all of our backgrounds and experiences are valuable to learn and celebrate. Let's uplift each other! Want to share your voice?
To be featured, read the directions and fill out this form. All ages, backgrounds, and generations welcome. Our Names
Ailani Aimi Shukri Alicia Amira Noeuv Annalise Ko Arielle Dortch Ashley Alday Asia Wesley Brandy (CambodianCream) Brittanee Okamura Bunthay Cheam Cathy N. Chanira Reang-Sperry Charles Calvino Hang Chans Chloe Choe Christy Daniella Thach Danielle Bopha Khleang David Choi David Vo Emma S. Buchanan Eric Damey Firda Amalia Herryanddhy Grace Bora Kim Hao Taing Hunny Hach Huy Hoang Iran Thongdy JLouie Jessica Nguon Jerome Damey Jennifer Yi Jenny Nave Justin Cardona (JCool) Kaitlin Kamalei Brandon Kalyann Kandy Robertson Khmer Ninjas Kimi Kaneshina Kris Henderson Kristen Lê Krystal M. Chuon Lisha B. Lina (Spring Roll Fever) Mandy Kwan Maria Abad Marina Por Mario Pilapil Marites Perez Mark Juaton Maryann Samreth Mei Mei Long Melissa Khoeum Barnett Michael Huang Michael Nguyen Mully Chea Mylo Lam Nathanie Lee Neng Om Niza Oun-Nguyen Nolita Noeuv Note K. Suwanchote Piny Ly Pothmolita Dou Randy Kim Rose Khun Rotha Sam Hing Sam "Smushipig" Javier Samedy Khun Samrach Sar, Esq. Sandra Chhuon Sasha Buz ចាប សាត Sath Chap Sokha Danh Stephanie Ung Sumit Karn Thay PichMony Valerie Hoang Vivian Huang |