Press Release
AALDEF Honored As Bronze Winner For Best Community Outreach, Human & Civil Rights In the Inaugural Anthem Awards
NEW YORK — Today the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is pleased to announce that its #StopAsianHate Project has been named the Bronze Winner for Best Community Outreach in Human & Civil Rights in the Inaugural Anthem Awards.
“As the pandemic rages on, so too does the tsunami of violence against Asian Americans. Whether acknowledged as hate crimes or not, these ongoing attacks instill fear in our communities and tell us that we do not belong,” said Margaret Fung, Executive Director of AALDEF. “We appreciate the platform the Anthem Awards has given to highlight this critical issue for the Asian American community. Our message to survivors of hate and discrimination is — we do belong. We are not a virus. This is our country too, and we will continue to participate fully in all aspects of our society.
AALDEF, founded in 1974, protects and promotes the civil rights of more than 20 million Asian Americans nationwide. Over the last 47 years, AALDEF has tackled several issues including economic justice, immigrant rights, and voting rights. However, one issue that has come up repeatedly throughout its history has been hate violence. As a civil rights organization, AALDEF plays an important role to empower victims of anti-Asian hate by educating them about their legal rights and how to seek safety and justice.
Anthem Winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Members include Daniel Dae Kim (actor, producer, and activist); Ashley Judd (Author, Actor, and Social Justice Humanitarian); Mitchell Baker (CEO and chairwoman, Mozilla); Lisa Sherman (president and CEO, Ad Council), Sarah Kate Ellis (president and CEO, GLAAD); Renata Erlikhman (chief investment officer, OW Management); Shayla Tait (director of philanthropy, The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation); Russlynn Ali (CEO and co-founder, XQ Institute); Marc Ecko (chief commercial officer and board member, XQ Institute); Heidi Arthur (chief campaign development officer, Ad Council); and Alexis M. Herman (chair and chief executive officer, New Ventures, and former U.S. Secretary of Labor).
“It is our distinct honor to recognize the work that brands, organizations, and individuals are all making to create an impact in their community,” said Jessica Lauretti, Managing Director, The Anthem Awards. “We launched this platform to show the world that all corners of our culture, from sports and entertainment to business leaders and celebrities, are all standing up to say, it is time for systemic change and that social good is what we value as a society.”
Winners for the inaugural Anthem Awards will be celebrated at the first annual Anthem Voices conference followed by a star-studded virtual Awards Show on Monday, February 28, 2022. Fans will be able to hear from social impact leaders during the day and then watch the show, featuring special moments, and hallmark speeches from the winners at www.anthemawards.com.
The Anthem Awards was launched in response to the prevalence social good has taken within the national conversation and cultural zeitgeist in recent years. The inaugural competition received nearly 2,500 entries from 36 countries worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. A portion of program revenue will fund a new grant program supporting emerging individuals and organizations working to advance the causes recognized in the inaugural Anthem Awards.
About The Anthem Awards:
The Anthem Awards, the Webby Awards newest initiative, was developed to recognize the breadth of social good work (online and offline) around the globe by honoring the organizations, brands, and people creating long-lasting impact; including, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Education, Art, & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment, & Climate. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.
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For additional information, contact:
Stuart J. Sia
Communications Director
212.966.5932 x203
ssia@aaldef.org