Name of AAPI Figure	Iris Chang
What is the person’s Asian heritage or ethnicity?	Chinese-American
Area of Influence	political activist, journalist
Date of birth or time period	1968-2004
How did this individual make a contribution to their field or to society/culture at large?	Iris Chang was a political activist and journalist who brought the Nanking Massacre to public light in her famous book, “The Rape of Nanking.” It exposed the atrocities of the Japanese, something that had been forgotten in history. Many Chinese immigrants who had escaped from China or were of descendants of those who fled felt heard for the first time. Her third book, “The Chinese in America: A Narrative in History,”
How does this person inspire you?	I chose Iris Chang because her books and life story are inspiring to me as I find my place in activism as an Asian-American. Iris Chang was determined to uncover the truth, despite how gruesome it was, to educate the world and hold people accountable. Her resilience ultimately paved the way for many other Asian-Americans to write about their own experiences (for example, Japanese internment camps in WWII). Her resolve as a journalist and activist through writing reminds me that my voice has potential to be as impactful as hers did.
Resources to share if others want to learn more (optional)–list websites, books, or other resources you used to learn about the person	https://www.irischang.net/ https://www.library.ucsb.edu/special-collections/cema/chang
Submitted by	Olivia Yang
Age	15