“Okage Same De” is a Japanese phrase meaning “Whatever I am today — it is because of you.”
This phrase resonates profoundly with me personally and professionally as we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) Heritage Month at such a pivotal moment in our collective journey.
As a yonsei (fourth-generation) Japanese American and the first Asian American woman to serve as Port of Seattle Commission President in its 110+ year history, I carry with me the weight and wisdom of those who came before.
My own family’s journey through the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans has taught me that resilience isn’t just about surviving hardship — it’s about transforming adversity into opportunity and creating positive change that extends far beyond our own communities and for future generations.
I recently had the privilege of representing the Port of Seattle and the Northwest Seaport Alliance at the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan, South Korea. The conference theme, “Our Ocean, Our Action,” brought together nearly 1,000 global participants united by a shared commitment to ocean sustainability and climate action. While there, I participated in announcing an important Green Shipping Corridor initiative between us and South Korea that aims to establish a carbon-neutral shipping route by 2050.
Yet amid this inspiring global convergence, I couldn’t help but notice a stark reality: the significant underrepresentation of women in the conference programming. Despite women’s global leadership in science, economics, environmentalism, and policy, female voices were largely absent from main stage presentations, panels, plenaries, and spotlight opportunities.
This experience crystallized for me the continued importance of the AA & NH/PI Heritage Month theme, but more importantly, the need to continue creating spaces for diverse voices and perspectives.
At the Port of Seattle, we recognize that maritime has historically been a male-dominated field. That's why we’re intentionally building pathways for more women and people of color in leadership roles. Furthermore, we are significantly investing in community investment programs and workforce programs to overcome historical barriers and challenges in communities that have often been overlooked.
Diverse leadership isn’t just nice to have. It’s essential for creating truly inclusive and effective solutions.
Throughout history, AA & NH/PI communities have transformed adversity into opportunities for public service, efficiency, and innovation. This legacy continues today through our collective work. The resilience woven into the fabric of AA & NH/PI success is a testament to the unwavering spirit of our ancestors, who faced their own struggles with grit, dignity, and strength. Let us honor that legacy by ensuring our leadership reflect our community’s full diversity of experiences, wisdom, and commitment to collective empowerment.
I thank the Port’s Home for Asians and Pacific Islanders Employee Resource Group for their continued work and presence in being a home for all, and their work in the proclamation celebrating AA & NH/PI Heritage month.
All the best,
Toshiko Grace Hasegawa
President, Port of Seattle Commission
Photo at top: Commission President Hasegawa at the 10th Our Ocean Conference
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