KACF’s Inaugural Women’s Luncheon: A Celebration of Korean American Women Who Give Back and Make an Impact

by Monica Lee

a photo of people in a conference room eating at luncheon tables while a speaker at a podium gives a presentation

KACF’s inaugural Women’s Luncheonㅡan extension of our Giving Summitㅡbrought together 200 people in New York City on December 1, 2023 to celebrate all the ways that Korean American women are giving back and helping to shape the future of social impact.

It was inspiring and powerful to witness a room full of women of different generations and from diverse backgrounds come together to lift up our community.

During the program, we had an opportunity to hear from three trailblazing Korean American women who are making a difference at the local and global levels: Julia Riew, Composer-lyricist and writer; Lina Lee, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Communities Resist; and Sarah Paiji Yoo, Co-Founder and CEO of Blueland.

“If you don’t see a community for you out there, then build one of your own. If you haven’t heard your story yet, then tell it. And if you don’t see a role model that looks like you in your dream industry, then maybe you can be the first to take the dive.” – Julia Riew, Composer-Lyricist & Writer

“Our hands have so much powerㅡwith one click, one memo or one idea you can change the world…so I leave you with this, ‘What impression will you leave with your hands?‘” – Lina Lee, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Communities Resist

“Sometimes you do make a little less to do the right thingㅡto build the future that you want to live in.” – Sarah Paiji Yoo, Co-Founder & CEO of Blueland

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President Kyung B. Yoon lifted up that women make up a majority of the people impacted by the programs and initiatives KACF funds to address economic insecurity and that more than 3 in 4 (77%) of the organizations we partner with are led by a woman. We spotlighted the work of our grantee partner Renaissance Economic Development Corporation and its vital efforts to support immigrant small business owners like Mrs. Kim (Flushing Garden Florist) thrive as the pillars of their families and communities.

Keeping up the excitement until the very end, we unveiled the #VeryKorean KACF x Very Asian Foundation collaboration tote that included a curated selection of products generously donated by our favorite Korean American women-owned and -founded businesses!

We hope that the connections made at the Luncheon will evolve into even more meaningful relationships, and look forward to continuing to explore ways to bring women together to make a greater difference in our communities.

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS HERE

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KACF’s Women’s Luncheon would not have been possible without the generous support of our Luncheon Chairs, Host Committee, sponsors and Korean American women-led and -owned businesses.

LUNCHEON CHAIRS

Prisca Bae • Lisa Kim • Sarah Min • Cathy Oh • Jeannie Park • Josephine Shin • Jumee Song

HOST COMMITTEE

Jennifer Lee Ban • Angela Buchdahl • Eunice Byun • Juju Chang • Charlotte Cho • Soogi Hong • Laura Hong • Michelle Kim • Mimi O. Kim • Jee Young Kim • Tina Kim • Margarette Lee • Miyoung Lee • Sue Jin Lee • Grace Lee • Michelle Li • Hee-Jung Moon • Connie Nam • Nayun Shin • Susan L. Shin • Gina Sohn • Diana Son • So-Chung Shinn • Jean Yun