Two Filipino-Americans were recognized in Illinois for their achievements in the practice of law and community service, according to a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Aurora Abella-Austriaco was awarded the Judge Laura Cha-Yu Liu Trailblazer Award while Elsie Sy-Niebar received the Community Service Award, representing the Filipino community.
Abella-Austriaco is the first Asian-American president of the Chicago Bar Association, a founding member of the Filipino American Bar Association and a current member of the Asian American Bar Association.
Sy-Niebar, on the other hand, is an assistant to the Commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Human Services and editor of VIA Times. The multi-awarded journalist also served as president of the Chicago Philippine Press Club.
In a ceremony, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said the awardees contributed with their leadership and standard of excellence to their communities and in the state.
He also paid tribute to the ambitious ventures, personal triumphs and accomplishments of Asian-Americans in Illinois.
Other awardees are Ajay Naidu for Excellence in Performing Arts Award, Shahida Khan was given the Humanitarian Excellence Award, and The Zhou Brothers was given an award for Excellence in Creative Arts.
The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago likewise congratulated the awardees.
