Our Mission
Embracing the hopes & dreams of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders
OCA is a national civil rights advocacy and educational organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, to securing the rights of Asian and Pacific Islander American citizens and permanent residents through legislative and policy initiatives at all levels of the government, and to bettering the lives of the more than 12 million Asian and Pacific Islander Americans across the country.
OCA strives to promote active participation of Asian Pacific Americans in both civic and national matters; secure social justice, equal opportunity and equal treatment of Asian Pacific Americans; eliminate prejudices, stereotypes and ignorance of Asian Pacific Americans; and promote the cultural heritage of Asian Pacific Americans.
OCA takes no collective position on the politics of any foreign country, but instead focuses on the welfare and civil rights of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.
In Memoriam
Karen Fung Yee
March 11, 1938 - March 16, 2019
Our OCA family has lost an incredible giant--Karen Yee was a greatly valued leader and member of our community.
Karen graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, and her career included roles with the Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pittsburgh. She was a leader in Pittsburgh’s Asian American community. She was a member of OCA since the 1970's and served as its president. She also lead the University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms council and the Chinese Nationality Room committee. She taught classes in the ancient floral art form of Ikenobo and served as President of the Ikebana International Pittsburgh Chapter.
Karen's leadership in OCA and the AAPI community lit the way to better understanding of our Asian heritage and identity.
See this interview Karen had with the Observer-Reporter.