In the Presence of A Civil Rights Living Legend
Karen Korematsu Receives the 2019 President’s Award from Advancing Justice | AAJC
Karen Korematsu’s desire to make the world a better place for everybody is simply infectious. Karen is an undeniable icon in the community and as a civil rights advocate, educator, and public speaker, she shares her immense passion for working with kids and teaching about our history.
Speaking up for the civil rights of Asian Americans courses through her bloodline. As the daughter of the late civil rights activist, Fred Korematsu, Karen has dedicated her life to carrying on her father’s legacy. In 2009, she established the Fred T. Korematsu Institute to advance racial equity, social justice and human rights for all — reminding her audiences that without racial equity we are likely to repeat horrific moments of Japanese American incarceration and racial profiling that has occurred in U.S. history. She travels the country speaking to a wide range of audiences to promote Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution on January 30.
Korematsu regularly presents to the Teachers College at Columbia University and to the National and State Councils for the Social Studies. She was co-chair of the Annual National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Conference in 2017 and has served on Advancing Justice | AAJC’s Board of Directors for many years.
Karen was inducted as the first non-lawyer member of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association in 2015. Every community needs vocal champions like Karen Korematsu. She is the true meaning of lead by example. Korematsu has signed on to amicus briefs in several cases opposing violations of constitutional rights arising after 9/11, including Odah v. United States, Turkman v. Ashcroft, Hedges v. Obama, and Hassan v. City of New York and recently, Hawaii v. Trump. She has written a number of op-eds, including for The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Karen is both challenging and inspiring the next generation of Asian American leaders. Her passion for service and her tireless efforts to help the Asian American community can be felt far and wide. Karen Korematsu is an unstoppable force who won’t stop until we have an equal America.
Karen Korematsu will receive her honor during the American Courage Awards event at the National Press Club on October 3, 2019. If you cannot join us in person, you can celebrate with us online.
