For the retired director of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) Diane Narasaki, her commitment to social work and human rights began in her youth. Her parents were among the 120,000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans who were unjustly detained in camps during the Second World War.
The barbed wire of the camps that held her parents forged Diane’s passion for speaking for and protecting Asian and Pacific Islander communities of the Pacific Northwest. For over two decades, Diane directed the work done by ACRS, from offering behavioral health and human services programs to civic engagement opportunities for Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and others in King County. Now retired, Diane continues to work with underrepresented communities in King County and lead by example.
Each year, Seattle CityClub presents the Civic Leadership Award to someone from the Pacific Northwest who inspires others to civic action for the common good. Aligned with CityClub’s mission, the Award recipient will share some of the following leadership skills and traits: takes risk to catalyze change; turns vision into action; invests in both people and ideas that have the power to make an impact; models inclusiveness and fosters collaboration; engages others to share their wealth; rolls up her/his sleeves and leads others by example; mentors the next generation; enriches community dialogue and thoughtful civic discourse; acts with integrity, humility and courage; generous of spirit as well as money; weathers ups and downs with determination and commitment.
“Diane Narasaki not only dedicated her career to inspiring others to work toward the common good, she has also lived and breathed the values exemplified in CityClub’s Civic Leadership Award in everything she does,” said CityClub Executive Director Teresa Moore. “As a powerful advocate for a more just and equitable community for all who live here, Diane embodies what it means to lead through example, word and deed. We are honored to recognize her commitment to civic engagement and public service.”
We are honored to announce Diane Narasaki has been awarded the Civic Leadership Award for 2019. Congratulations, Diane.