Zhang Yinjun, initiator of the AIDS Prevention Education Project for Chinese Youth and chairwoman of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, was recently awarded by the American Chinese United Association in recognition of her commitments to AIDs prevention, women empowerment and the improvement of youth education.

Angelo Puppolo, head of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, presented the International Women and Children's Education Achievement Award to Zhang at ACUA's annual awarding ceremony on Jan 22.

The AIDS-prevention project launched by Zhang has reached out to more than 1,200 universities, primary schools and middle schools across China, benefiting over 3.03 million people. She also has traveled to Yunnan province, Sichuan province, Tibet autonomous region and some other remote places in China to help lift families out of poverty and bring local children easier access to quality education.

Additionally, she and the foundation have been actively conducting collaboration with officials, scholars and educationists from different countries for creating a better environment for the growth of women and children, further protecting their rights.

The awarding ceremony was held on the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year, with 550 representatives of Asian communities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and some other states, showing the strong cohesion within Chinese Americans from across the country.