General Membership is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN.

Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 867 8744 7524
Passcode: 312248

Program Description:  The program focuses on birthright citizenship - a fundamental right often taken for granted yet deeply rooted in legal precedent and history. We will anchor our discussion in the landmark 1898 U.S. Supreme Court case, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed that children born in the United States to immigrant parents are citizens under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
 
Who was Wong Kim Ark and what was his story? Why does his victory before the U.S. Supreme Court matter today? Born in San Francisco, Wong Kim Ark was denied entry to the U.S. after a trip to China. The discussion will start with a brief historical overview of the social and political landscape during Wong Kim Ark’s times, how his plight was litigated and resolved through the court system, and how Executive Order 14160 (signed Jan. 20, 2025) reinterprets and raises questions about what birthright citizenship means today.  This portion will be presented by Judge Andrea Chin, Seattle Municipal Court, Judge Joan Churchill, Immigration Judge (retired) and Lorraine Lee, WIN Founder.  

Then Naghmana Sherazi, Community Outreach Lead for HAPPEN, will moderate a discussion with three phenomenal leaders from our community of state employees: Grace Huang Senior Policy Adviser, Governor’s Policy Office, Nicholas Vann, first Executive Sponsor of HAPPEN, and Representative Janice Zahn, 41st Legislative District, Washington State House of Representatives. The speakers will share their perspectives and reflect on the significance of the Wong Kim Ark decision, the impacts and effects of the current controversies over immigration policies and birthright citizenship on immigrant communities today.
 

View panelist bios here

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(Download flyer)

This month is the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, which marked the end of the Vietnam War. It was the start of three waves of Vietnamese immigrants coming to the U.S. since 1975. Speakers will share their immigrant journeys and reflect on the resilience of the Vietnamese American community in Washington state.

• Tam Bui, District Court Judge, Snohomish County. She and her family fled Saigon on April 30, 1975.
• Nam Nguyen, Executive Director, Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. Born in Saigon, he came to the U.S. in 1989 as a young child.
• My-Linh Thai, Representative, 41st District, Washington House of Representatives. At the age of 15, she immigrated to as a Vietnamese refugee with her family.

Come hear their stories and reflections on the challenges and successes they have experienced as immigrants. 

Click Here to Register

Join us for a powerful workshop on Belonging!

Feeling a sense of belonging at work and in our communities is essential for personal and professional growth. Yet, for many immigrants, this journey comes with unique challenges.

Join us for an engaging Belonging Workshop, where we’ll explore what it truly means to belong, discuss barriers that impact inclusion and share practical strategies to foster a more connected and supportive environment.

Who Should Attend: All team members interested in creating a more inclusive workplace! Expect insightful discussions, real-life experiences, and actionable takeaways to strengthen our community. Let’s build a space where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered.

Register to Participate: Click Here to Register

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hosts: Career & Professional Development Committee  
Janet Kiwanuka, Gina O’Neill, Gwen Willis, Laura Villegas & Anastassia Hunte Gardner

We look forward to seeing you there!

Future workshop topics:
1.    Cultural Competency
2.    Public Speaking

NOTE: Check out our upcoming newsletters and special announcement emails for registration dates for the future workshops
 

General Membership is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN.

Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 867 8744 7524
Passcode: 312248

The Office of Equity and Washington State's Community-Focused Commissions invite you to participate in a panel discussion for WA State Employees. Come join us at this virtual panel discussion to spotlight the importance of intersectionality in coalition-building, community support, and systems change.

Event Date & Time: March 26, 2025 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm
 

General Membership is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN.

Online Meeting Information

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 867 8744 7524

Passcode: 312248

Time: 12 - 1 p.m.

Unlock Your Potential By Joining Our Transferable Skills Workshop. 

Do you need help to take the next step in your professional journey? Our Career & Professional Subcommittee is excited to provide a wonderful opportunity to enhance your career in state service. The Transferable Skills Workshop is designed to help you open a gateway to your path in career advancement or career change.
Let us help you to showcase your skills and boost your employability by finding your transferable skills. This 1-hour workshop will include some of the following topics: how to identify your transferable skills, mapping your skills, an assessment to get you started, and more.

Hosts: Career & Professional Development Committee  
Gina O’Neill, Gwen Willis, Laura Villegas, Janet Kiwanuka & Anastassia Hunte Gardner

When: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 

Register for Workshop

Note: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Check out our upcoming newsletters and special announcement emails for registration dates for the future workshops.
Future workshop topics:
1.    Belonging (focus on immigrant experience)
2.    Cultural Competency
3.    Public Speaking
 

When: 1-2 p.m. on the third Wednesdays of the month from January through June.

Series Information:
• Jan. 15: Job application process
• Feb. 19: Self-care is foundational to engaging as your 'authentic' self
• March 19: Self-confidence to start a pathway towards leadership
• April 16: Navigating power dynamics
• May 21: Vision boards
• June 18: Networking panel discussion

All sessions are open to everyone; however, missing a session may be confusing, as the program sessions may build upon previous sessions. Participants can maximize the experience if able to attend all sessions. Sessions will not be recorded. HAPPEN will provide interpreters and/or CART services upon request.

Click here to add the series to your calendar
 

Please contact the Leadership Development Lead, Lynora Hirata (360) 480-5381 with questions or to request interpreters and/or CART services. For more information about HAPPEN, check out their website.
 

Speak Up: Your Voice Matters - A Communication Confidence Coaching Series for Asian Americans (AA-NH-PI)  
Following the fireside chat, Jolene will be hosting three AA-NH-PI coaching workshops. We invite you to join our communication confidence coaching series tailored specifically for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders. This program is designed to help you overcome barriers, be heard, and be seen personally and professionally. Sign up elevate your confidence, showcase your value, and realize that people want to hear from you. This series will provide practical strategies, empowering exercises, and supportive community interactions to foster a more confident and outspoken you. 

Please plan on attending all coaching sessions. Seats are limited to 50 attendees, so register today! 

Click to register for all three sessions

AA-NH-PI Coaching PT 1- February 12th 10-12pm  
AA-NH-PI Coaching PT 2- February 26th 10-12pm  
AA-NH-PI Coaching PT 3- March 12th 10-12pm  

Let’s start the crucial work of talking, learning, and coming together to create a unified front for equity and inclusion.  
 

General Membership is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN.

Online Meeting Information

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86787447524?pwd=aTdsWXFpU3JrUEVLYlBhNjlDNVRLdz09

Meeting ID: 867 8744 7524

Passcode: 312248

Time: 12 - 1 p.m.