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May 1-15, 2013 E Georgia Asian Times
In the spirit of 2013 Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration, we are documenting the changing of power and the continual shifting of influence of Asian Americans in our communities. This year’s 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia offer a listing of individuals who made an impact in arts, business, government, politics, social work, education, judiciary, and areas that influence every aspect of Georgian’s daily life. Some names are familiar as they continue to strive to make our community a better place to live. New faces are recognized for their effort and dedication to make a difference. The list is made possible by the editorial staff and a selection committee comprises of community, civic, media, and professional organizations.
Aparna Bhattacharyya Executive Director Raksha
Cecile J. Pasion-Bregman Chairperson, Kalayaan Asst Professor, Emory University
Aparna Bhattacharyya was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She has served as Executive Director of Raksha since 1998. Aparna graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She has served as a member of the Georgia Advisory Committee for the U.S Commission on Civil Rights, board Vice President for Tapestri, Inc, an Advisory Board member for the National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women, Advisory Board Member for Georgia State’s School of Social Work, Board Member of the Dekalb County Domestic Violence Task Force in 2006- 2012 (Board Chair from 2010-2011), and the Cross Keys Foundation Vice President in 2011-2012. Aparna is an alumni of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2010, and a 2009 recipient of the Center for Pan Asian Community Service’s Asian Women’s Leadership Development Grant.
25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia
Cecile J. Pasion-Bregman, MD, has been a practicing psychiatrist in Metro-Atlanta since 1996. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Emory University Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has served in leadership roles in her professional career. Aparna was recognized by the Indian American Cultural Association for Excellent and Continued Contribution to the Community in 2010. Aparna is currently on the Board of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project and is the Board Chair of VIDA Legal Assistance. Aparna continues to advocate for access and justice for immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence and trains community members, law enforcement, attorneys, and law enforcement both locally and nationally.
She is also very active in the Filipino-American community, having served as President of the FilipinoAmerican Association of Greater Atlanta in 2001 and other positions. As Chair of Kalayaan 2012, she worked cohesively with the different leaders of other Filipino-American organizations and expanded this celebration commemorating Philippine Independence from a one-day to a four-day affair. She is again Chair of Kalayaan this year which is now a one month celebration offering events that target Filipinos from all walks of life throughout Georgia. Kalayaan showcases Filipino culture and values for the future generations to appreciate and perpetuate.
Cecile also serves the broader community, being the Founding Chair of the Angels of Mercy Ministry, which is composed of volunteer doctors, nurses, lawyers and other allied health professionals who provide health screenings and medical and legal lectures to its parent parish, St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church. In the past year, this ministry has also served the Burmese refugees of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, The Monastery of the Holy Spirit, St. John Catholic Church and soon the Our Lady of Vietnam Parish.