CELEBRASIANS 2022

10th annual celebrasians fashion benefit:
from Resilience to Radiance

Sunday, october 2, 2022 | 3-6pm edt

LOCATION: Starlight Square
84 Bishop Allen Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139

Asian Women for Health (AWFH) will host its 10th CelebrASIANS Fashion Benefit Show: From Resilience to Radiance (named after our podcast) on Sunday, October 2, 2022*.

As our signature community event, CelebrASIANS raises funds towards peer-led support initiatives, breast and cervical cancer education and outreach, and programs that foster intergenerational community and cultural connection among the women we serve. At a time when we are striving to advance equity, reduce health disparities, and meet the growing needs of Asian women and their families amid a global pandemic, we are asking for the generous support of our sponsors, community partners, donors, and volunteers to help achieve our goals.

We hope that you will rise to the challenge and join us in our mission to advance women’s health with a gift of support. We invite you to make a monetary donation, donate a silent auction item, or consider purchasing an ad or event sponsorship. There are many ways you can get involved and rally behind these inspiring women. Thank you in advance for supporting Asian Women for Health!

*This will be a hybrid event that will be livestreamed from Starlight Square's FB page. Those attending in-person will be asked to show proof of vaccination upon check-in. Masks and a vaccination clinic will be provided for those who are not fully vaccinated.

Donate & Fundraise

MEET OUR MODELS

My name is Emily Chen (she/her), and I am a second generation Taiwanese American and grew up and live in Newton, MA. I have lived experience with ADHD, anxiety, and depression. As a neurodivergent Asian American, I grew up with and continue to experience ableism and racism that complicate and compound each other. This combined ableism and racism has, over the years, minimized my struggles, made it difficult for everyone--myself included--to recognize my need for support, and then complicated the process of seeking the support I need--therapy, accommodations, and communities that understand and accept me--to heal and live well.

Asian Women for Health has given me a community where I feel like I truly belong, where I am surrounded by fellow Asian American women who have lived experience with mental illness. The Asian American Mental Health Forum has been with me as I grew into my own as an Asian American mental health activist: from an awe-struck, teary, and moved participant in 2019 and 2020, to a planning committee member and panelist in 2021, and growing into the leadership role of co-chair for this year's 2022 Forum. I am profoundly grateful that AWFH and AAMHF have given and continue to give me a supportive and empowering foundation for my Asian American mental health activism. This community means the world to me and has been and is instrumental in my journey towards wellness.

Bhavana Gallewale

My name is SongRe Pennington. I am South Korean. I was born & raised in a small town near Taejon. In November 1965, I married my husband, Roger, who had served in Korea with Army Intelligence. Six months later, I joined him in the United States. We settled in Massachusetts and, except for 22 years in the Middle East, have lived here ever since. In 1968 I became a U.S. citizen.

In 2007, I was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. This was an 18-month ordeal requiring surgery, radiation, & chemotherapy. I credit my recovery to the medical team at Mass General Hospital, and to family & friends. I still suffer from neuropathy in my feet & other long-term effects of treatment. To deal with these issues, I keep busy gardening, cooking, walking, & playing pickleball. I exercise every morning & sometimes receive acupuncture for pain relief. Next year I plan to resume attending the Stowe Weekend of Hope where I will share my experiences with other cancer survivors.

Thanks to my parents, I survived the horror & hardships of the Korean War. I am grateful for their sacrifices in my behalf. I absorbed their love of nature & embraced their traditional Korean values of working hard & sharing with others. Their dedication gave me a chance to find meaning and purpose in life.

Asian Women for Health has enabled me to connect with other women in programs that nurture well-being. Modeling in this fashion show has helped me to shape my personal goals: I focus on gardening & cooking. But my passion is my grandson, Max, who will be 5 in November. I treasure my time with him.

Each night, when I go to bed, I think about my successes & my failures, ….& count my blessings. I have learned that life is a gift, but a fragile one. & not always easy to receive. My advice to everyone is to live life to the fullest in order to make the most of this precious gift.