TV/Film Actor Tamlyn Tomita to Receive Pioneer Award at OCA National Convention

For Immediate Release

July 10, 2023

Media Contact:
Socheata Sun, Communications Fellow
socheata.sun@ocanational.org

Ken Scudder
ken.scudder@ocanational.org (917) 226-1681 

Washington, D.C. — TV and film actor Tamlyn Tomita, best known for her work as Kumiko in “The Karate Kid, Part II” and Waverly in “The Joy Luck Club,” will receive a Pioneer Award at the OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates (OCA) 50th Anniversary National Convention July 12–16, 2023 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.

“Tamlyn Tomita was an inspiration to AAPI girls in Karate Kid Part II,” said OCA President Linda Ng. “She showed us a strong, independent, but still respectful young Asian woman. Throughout her career she has played tough, loving, fully-realized women. Representation like this matters to all of us. She has earned so many accolades throughout her career – we are thrilled to have her as one of our award recipients.”

Tomita will receive her award at the OCA Awards Gala on Saturday, July 15. Others being honored that night are MSNBC/NBC News anchor Richard Lui, NBA player Jeremy Lin, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju, OCA-New Jersey past president Virginia Ng, and the Japanese American Citizens League.

“I am proud to receive this award from OCA,” Tomita said. “I always strove to ensure the roles I played accurately depicted real women in real situations, even on soap operas. To have OCA recognize my work in this way is truly special to me.”

Tomita has appeared in 45 movies and on over 80 different TV series in her 37-year career. She was a series regular on “The Good Doctor” and “Berlin Station”, and had recurring roles on “Glee”, “24”, “Teen Wolf”, and “The Man in the High Castle,” as well as the soap operas “Santa Barbara”, “Days of Our Lives”, and “General Hospital”.

The awards gala is only one part of the five-day OCA National Convention. Other highlights include OCA Day on the Hill on Thursday, as well as three town halls that will highlight coalition building, equitable access to healthcare and well-being, and civic engagement. Notable speakers for these town halls, and over 20 breakout sessions, include Deputy Assistant to the President and AANHPI Sr. Liaison Erika Moritsugu, Journalist Helen Zia, Professors Janelle Wong and Xiaoxing Xi, author Curtis Chin, and many other government officials, community and academic leaders, and youth organizers.

The conference is free and open to the public. RSVP is encouraged to reserve your seat, and full-package registrations to access the Friday evening concert and Saturday night Awards Gala are available online at www.ocanationalconvention.org.

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About OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates

Founded in 1973, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national, member-driven social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.

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Past OCA-NJ President Virginia Ng to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at OCA National Convention

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NARAL Pro-Choice America President to Receive Pioneer Award at OCA National Convention