In Memoriam: Judy Yung

Writer, scholar, professor, Judy Yung was a friend to KSW through its early years and inspired many who came through the organization in the years to follow. Judy passed recently and we wanted to express our deepest condolences and share with you some of the moving tributes that are compiled here.

Of particular note we wanted to share some thoughts from KSW Board VP and producer of KPFA’s “APEX Express”, Robynn Takayama, who was a student of Judy’s at UCSC and worked with her on the Peabody award winning radio documentary, Crossing East.

“(Judy’s) focus on oral history may have been an influence on my radio interests. When she lectured on culture and played A Grain of Sand, she said she had an extra album. I walked away with it that day and it’s still in my collection. As I continued working in the Asian American community, her fingerprints were all around: on Angel Island, with Asian Improv, with Kearny Street Workshop… Rest In Peace, Judy. You’ve influenced so many.”