The beauty of America is that it is a diverse country with a rich mixture of cultures, traditions, legends, myths, and artistic expressions. Here in Nocturnal Mind, we love art, beauty, and the many forms they take, and we admire those who weave their voices and their stories into the elaborate fabric of society. No matter where they may originate from, those who come to this country are gifting us with their own unique perspectives and ideas, and these are a significant part of what makes “America” America. And much of this art and beauty comes from our wonderful Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.
And so, to wrap up this National Women’s History Month, the Night Crew would like to dedicate this post to some of the most notable women of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who have helped shape our art and, in so doing, our culture and history.
Anna May Wong – Actress
Born in Los Angeles in the early 20th century, Anna May Wong was the first Asian-American woman to reach international fame on the silver screen. She landed her first big role in The Toll of the Sea (1922) when she was only seventeen years old, and continuously spoke out against stereotypical and racist casting for Asian women throughout her career.
Amy Tan – Memoirist and Author
Author of the highly-acclaimed novel The Joy Luck Club (1989), Amy Tan’s work has provided readers with glimpses into the Asian-American experience that speak to both community and universal audiences. And in spite of the criticisms and expectations that have been attached to the book since its publication, Tan has continued to express the truths of her own personal experiences through her work.
Muna Tseng – Dancer
Originally from Hong Kong, Muna Tseng is a dancer and choreographer whose work combines classic ballet and modern dance with elements of traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean styles. Since moving to New York in 1977, Tseng’s work has introduced American audiences to the beauty of classical Asian dance techniques.
Jhumpa Lahiri – Writer
A Pulitzer Prize winner (2000), Jhumpa Lahiri made her writing debut with a short story collection called The Interpreter of Maladies. Since childhood, her work and her stories have been inspired by her grandfather’s tales of India, and many of these memories and experiences are reflected in her storytelling.
Toshiko Takaezu – Ceramic Artist
A longtime ceramic artist and teacher at Princeton and the Cleveland Institute of Art, Toshiko Takaezu is most well-known for her closed-vessel sculptures, which were often significant in size and incorporated different aspects of calligraphy, traditional Japanese tea ceremony, and Abstract Expressionist styles. Her diverse repertoire added new perspectives to the art of ceramics, particularly throughout the 1970s.
Emily Kauʻiomakaweliokauaionalaniokamanookalanipo Kukahiwa Zuttermeister
Known as “Aunty Kau’i,” Emily Kauʻiomakaweliokauaionalaniokamanookalanipo Kukahiwa Zuttermeister was responsible for helping revitalize and maintain the Hawaiian language and culture. She accomplished this by teaching hula dancing and raising awareness of its roots in traditional Hawaiian storytelling and the passing on of knowledge between people.
To learn more about some amazing Asian American and Pacific Islander women in history, check out these websites:
8 Badass Asian-Americans We Can’t Overlook This Women’s History Month | HuffPost Life
Twelve Women to Know for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Because of Her Story
— C.Q.
