Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The City celebrates and honors Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in May with special programs and a proclamation recognizing the culture, heritage, and achievements of our AANHPI neighbors.

Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities are an integral part of the rich tapestry of American life, both nationally and here in the City of Gaithersburg. Nineteen percent of the City's population identifies as AANHPI, with ancestral roots spanning 47 countries and territories, including China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Afghanistan, India, and Armenia.

AANHPI Americans have made significant contributions across a wide range of fields, from science and medicine to agriculture, commerce, the arts, literature, and public service.

An official proclamation designating May 2026 as "Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month" in the City of Gaithersburg will be presented at the Mayor and City Council meeting on Monday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the meeting at 16 S. Summit Ave., watch it live on YouTube or watch it via Teams by registering here.

Accepting the proclamation is Christine Chin Choy. Christine has lived in Gaithersburg for 16 years and has been an active supporter of the Community Museum, periodically teaching paperfolding and donating origami art models constructed from old Gaithersburg postcards. She has served on the City's Environmental Affairs Committee (EAC) since 2020 and is now its Chair, contributing to work on tree protection, environmental justice, air quality, and sustainable energy sources.

Christine led an EAC workgroup to create the City's annual Fix-It Fair, which helps residents repair items and reduce waste. With City staff, she planned and coordinated the event, from seeking and selecting fixers, to developing outreach plans, event day operations and post-event analysis.

Christine has also shared her expertise as an environmental chemist at the Gaithersburg Women in STEM event, demonstrating how chemistry is used to measure soil, air, and water quality. In addition, she is a representative of the Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher Associations as the Quince Orchard Cluster Coordinator.

Activities and exhibits celebrating Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month include:

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month traces its origins to a congressional bill introduced in June 1977. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation designating the week beginning May 4 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The celebration was later expanded, and in May 2009, President Barack Obama officially recognized it as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In 2021, President Joe Biden proclaimed May as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, acknowledging the history, contributions, and achievements of AANHPI communities across the nation.

The AANHPI community encompasses a rich diversity of ethnicities, languages, and cultures. Their contributions span generations and embody the spirit and values of the American experience.

The mission of the City's Multicultural Affairs Committee is to enrich Gaithersburg through the promotion of understanding, respect, and appreciation for the City's many cultures. Learn more here.