Cora Foley, director of the Filipino American Historical Society of Northern Virginia, will lead an endeavor to chronicle the history of Asian-Americans in Fairfax County. She and Braddock District Supervisor Sharon Bulova will host a kickoff meeting Wednesday for the Asian-American History Project at Bulova’s Burke office. For more information, call 703-250-1830.
Why is this project important?
Because Fairfax County has been doing historical projects over the years, and, in fact, in 1990 the Fairfax County History Commission noted there was a need for a more balanced history … since that time there has been a series of historical projects that included African-Americans. But the time, I believe, has come to include the story of the Asian American community. Asian-Americans are the largest minority group in Fairfax County.
Do people understand that history?
No, I don’t think so. And that’s part of the reason I got involved in the project…. I thought it was time that our role is shared more widely so that the story of Fairfax County, which is really more multiracial, is recognized.
How did you get involved in the subject?
I was a State Department employee for almost 30 years. In the State Department, as in the White House and all federal agencies, we celebrate Asian-American heritage month. I was invited by the management to help in the annual celebration. In that process I got to know more about our history. I still have a lot to learn.
What will the end product be?
We are planning in May 2010 to have a book, a video and several articles. And then we can continue from there. Between now and 2010 we plan to have a series of conversations with different Asian-American representatives, some of those who have done a lot for the community … to present their views of the history, the heritage, the contribution.
