Press Release

New York, NY — On Thursday, March 26, 2009, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) will present its 2009 Justice in Action Awards to New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristofand Sheryl WuDunn, Pulitzer Prize-winning co-authors and human rights activists; Sandra Leung, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; and Dale Minami, civil rights attorney and co-founder of AALDEF, at its 35th Anniversary Celebration at PIER SIXTY, Chelsea Piers, in New York City.

The AALDEF Justice in Action Awards recognize exceptional individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions in advancing justice and equality. Past recipients include the late civil rights icon Fred Korematsu, David Henry Hwang, Yoko Ono, Mira Nair, Maya Lin, Harold Koh, Charles Ogletree, Jr., Salman Rushdie, Seymour Hersh, and Deval Patrick.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2009

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund 35th Anniversary Celebration honoring Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn, Sandra Leung, and Dale Minami, 2009 Justice in Action Award recipients. Location: PIER SIXTY, Chelsea Piers in New York City. Sponsorship for tables of ten including VIP reception, dinner, and silent auction available at $10,000-$35,000. Individual tickets start at $500. RSVP Contact: Lillian Ling, 212.966.5932 x 202 or lling@aaldef.org.

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Leaders of the business, legal, civil rights and arts communities are expected to attend AALDEF’s 35th Anniversary Celebration. The Gala begins with a 6 p.m. cocktail reception followed by the Justice in Action Awards ceremony, a three-course dinner, and a silent auction. Tables of ten, available at $35,000, $20,000, $15,000, and $10,000, include a VIP reception. Individual tickets start at $500. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a major sponsor.

Proceeds from the 35th Anniversary Celebration benefit AALDEF’s legal and educational programs in the areas of immigrant rights, economic justice for workers, voting rights and civic participation, affirmative action, language access to services, youth rights and educational equality, and the elimination of hate violence, police misconduct and human trafficking.

For more information:
Lillian Ling
Assistant Director
212.966.5932 ext. 202
lling@aadef.org

Margaret Fung
Executive Director
212.966.5932 ext. 201
mfung@aaldef.org