National Nurses United

6 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G A P R I L | M AY | J U N E 2 0 2 0 NEWS BRIEFS CALIFORNIA O n feb. 22, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, and the University of Cal- ifornia, Davis Department of Asian American Studies teamed up to launch the new Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies, and a new collaboration focused on Asian-American nurses along with it. The collaboration is part of CNA/NNU's ongoing commitment to honor diversity and celebrate the role of Filipino nurses in the labor movement. Almost 20 percent of nurses in California are Filipino. They have been instrumental in building CNA/NNU, standing side by side with their colleagues in protests, strikes, and pickets to advocate for their patients. They fill prominent roles in both local and national union leadership, including Zenei Cortez, RN and a president of both CNA and NNU. "We are so pleased to work with the Bulosan Center to bring Filipino voices to light," said Cortez, who is the first Filipina president of NNU. UC Davis Asian American Studies Chair Robyn Rodriguez, a longtime Fil-Am activist and founder of the Bulosan Center, is also excited about the collaboration. "Our work together holds so much promise. We're thrilled to be involved with this powerful union, with women of color in leadership, that is committed to both solidarity and diversity. We'll do great things together," said Rodriguez. The two organizations will collaborate on research, educational programs, and events that promote activism and the Asian-American experience. The event was held in the large light-filled lobby of the UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. The Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies, says Rodriguez, has created a community of support for Filipino studies scholars, researchers, and educators. It collaborates closely with community-based organizations, and focuses on the most marginalized, underserved, and vulnerable groups in the Filipino community. During the COVID-19 crisis, the center has drawn on survey research it has collected to shed light on the impacts of COVID-19 on the Filipino community. The center is named after Carlos Bulosan, poet, writer, and labor activist whose powerful work informed generations of Filipino-Americans. Bulosan's seminal work, America is in the Heart, published in 1946, continues to inspire young Asian- American activists today. Traditional Filipino festive foods were served, including a whole lechón (roast pig), lumpia, pancit, and chicken adobo, as attendees–students, faculty, nurses, community activists, and Bulosan family members–arrived. The rich smell of warm lechón lingered above the laughter and camaraderie. Presentations came from Professor Rodriguez, officials from Carlos Bulosan's hometown in the Philippines, performances from local Filipino performance groups, and researchers whose work illuminates the Asian-American experience. An event highlight was CNA/NNU's short film about Filipino nurse activists, The Strength of Many. The documentary was produced by NNU and directed by Emmy Award-winning Fil-Am filmmaker Marissa Aroy. Aroy's previous films include Sikhs in America, and The Delano Manongs, a film about Filipino farm labor activist Larry Itliong. The Strength of Many introduces Filipina nurse activists, some of whom have faced discrimination and struggle, but who have overcome adversity to become champions of collective action, labor solidarity, and patient advocacy. For Dahlia Tayag, a nurse at University of California San Diego Medical Center and CNA board member who appears in the film, it was important for viewers to know that financial opportunity is not the only reason that Filipino nurses come to the United States. "Some come for personal and professional growth. Others may have come California nurses premiere educational collaboration and film Joint effort with Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies at UC Davis

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