FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACAS Banquet to pay tribute to 3 outstanding wome
(Toronto, ON - October 15th, 2007) The Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) is proud to announce that 3 extraordinary women have been selected for its special leadership awards this year, to be presented at its annual fundraising banquet to be held this Friday, October 19th at the Bright Pearl Restaurant in downtown Toronto.
Josephine Wong, a sexual health educator and researcher who has been instrumental in the development of ACAS’s many innovative programs for MSM, women, youth, families of queer Asians, as well as collaborative research and training programs for multiple ethno-racial communities as part of the Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment (CAAT) and the Ethno-racial Treatment Support Network (ETSN), will receive the “Asian Canadian Woman Leadership Award”. This is a special award created this year to pay tribute to a most outstanding woman volunteer in the history of ACAS as part of the evening spotlight on Asian women and HIV.
Shannon Soropia, a trans woman community worker and activist who has worked tirelessly in areas of outreach and education, service development and advocacy for trans and women communities, will be honored with the “Breakthrough Activist Award”.
Amutha Samgam, an immigrant woman living with HIV who has been at the forefront of educating the public and service providers on the challenges and barriers facing immigrant and refugee people with HIV/AIDS, advocating for improved service access and providing support and mentorship to many of her peers, will be honored with the “Asian Canadian PHA Leadership Award”.
“Women have been key pillars of strength and inspiration in creating, delivering and sustaining ACAS’s important programs and services since its inception so it is a pleasant coincidence that all of the award recipients at this year’s tribute event will be women.” said ACAS president Grace Ng Listkowski.
The 3 special awards will be presented by past award recipients and special guests during the course of an exciting evening that also include a 10 course gourmet dinner, entertainments and auction.
For information on tickets for this special event, please contact the ACAS office at (416)-963-4300.
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About the awards:
In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS), ACAS has created two special awards to mark this special occasion to honor the contributions of individuals who espouses the core values and visions of ACAS.
The Asian Canadian PHA Award honors a person with HIV/AIDS of east & southeast Asian cultural heritage who has made significant contributions in the areas of HIV/AIDS, human rights and/or related social justice issues in Canada or internationally.
The Breakthrough Community Activist Award honors an individual of east & southeast Asian cultural heritage who is from a marginalized or under-served sector of the community, and who has demonstrated commitment and ability in community organizing or advocacy work related to HIV/AIDS, human rights or social justice. In addition to the award, the award recipient will receive opportunities for further training and professional development that will facilitate their community work.
Asian Canadian Woman Leadership Award, is a special award created this year (2007) to pay tribute to a most outstanding woman volunteer in the history of ACAS as part of this year's theme- spotlight on Asian women and HIV.
