(Pictured: Ron Chew has been named AARP Washington’s state president.)
Ron Chew, whose previous leadership roles have ranged from libraries locally to the arts nationally, now has a new one as AARP Washington’s state president.
In the volunteer role, Chew will help lead the organization’s activities on behalf of more than 870,000 Washington members and provide leadership in long-range planning to help meet the needs of the state’s older adults and their families.
“I’m truly excited to collaborate with Washington’s AARP volunteers and staff,” Chew said. “As an older adult myself, I recognize the importance of ensuring that people can age according to their desires and have the necessary supports in place.”
Washington’s older population is growing. Currently, people 65 and older are about 18 percent of it. By 2050, they are projected to be more than 23 percent, with those 85 and older more than tripling.
“Meeting the diverse needs of older Washingtonians requires empathy, innovation, and a profound respect for their life experiences,” said Chew. ” Issues like health security and future financial stability impact not only today’s older adults, but also their families and friends for generations to come.”
He said supporting family caregivers “is a significant concern at present. Each day, more than 820,000 Washingtonians perform an incredible labor of love—caring for older parents, spouses, and other loved ones, enabling them to stay at home, where they wish to be. While most of us wouldn’t have it any other way, the financial and emotional tolls of caregiving can be profound. It’s essential that we find ways to support caregivers with the resources and connections they require.”
Chew is a lifelong Seattle resident. He graduated from Franklin High School and attended the University of Washington, where he majored in journalism. He worked for 13 years as editor of the International Examiner, a newspaper in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Before that, he was executive director of the Wing Luke Museum, where his efforts led to the construction of the current museum building.
Recognized nationally, he was appointed to the National Council on the Humanities by then-president Bill Clinton in 2001 and has received numerous accolades for his leadership.
On a local level, Chew is a member of the Board of Trustees of Seattle Public Libraries.
In 2020, Chew published his memoir, “My Forgotten Seattle,” a personal account of the history and vibrant community of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of Asian American activists and families.
He himself became part of that history when his contributions to aging and community health were recognized recently with the naming of the International Community Health Services’ state-of-the-art senior care facility as the Ron Chew Healthy Aging and Wellness Center.
“Ron has made significant contributions to community healthcare and the humanities, exemplifying leadership and dedication in both fields,” said AARP Washington director Marguerite Ro. “His experience and dedication to community service and advocacy is notable, and his leadership will serve our members well.”
Chew is an avid gardener. He’s also an avid runner, often seen mornings traversing the Beacon Hill neighborhood in Seattle.