On September 24, 2021, The Washington State Bar Association has selected Junga Cha to receive the 2021Keeper of the Flame Award.
The Chair of the Civil Rights Section of the Washington Bar Association explained,
This award is only provided to legal professionals or legal organizations whose work carries forward civil rights protections, keeping the flame alive of past civil rights movements for future generations. Their demonstrated commitment to protecting and advancing civil rights brings hope that our futures are in good hands. The CRLS Executive Committee created this award in 2020 to encourage and honor those in the first half of their careers who use the tools of the legal profession toward societal healing and justice. You will join Sandy Restrepo as the only two legal professionals who have received this award since it was created last year.
Selecting this year’s award recipient was no easy task. We sought recommendations from a wide range of community members and organizations to select recipients who work closely with impacted communities to make our system equitable and better for all. We also did so to recognize individuals often overlooked for their extraordinary work. And with the help of several community members, we received nominations for many extraordinary advocates, all of whom deserving of the award for their exceptional work.
We chose you for the Keeper of the Flame Award for your tireless work protecting and enforcing the civil rights of communities of color in Whatcom and Skagit County and your efforts to pass on the torch to young advocates by teaching them about their civil rights and liberties. We are incredibly grateful to have leaders like you in our community who relentlessly push to advance and protect the civil rights for all.
Awards Ceremony
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the CRLS 2021 Awards Ceremony will be held virtually on October 20, 2021 from 4:30 to 5: 15 p.m. Junga will be recognized for receipt of the Keeper of the Flame Award the ceremony. Shortly after the ceremony, between 5: 15 to 6:00 p.m., we will host a live Zoom event with all recipients and the CRLS Executive Committee to thank Junga for her work.