In the early 1970s, a group of Korean wives of American servicemen at what is now Joint Base Lewis-McChord began to gather to share meals, support, and cultural fellowship. By 1979, the group had incorporated as the Tacoma Korean Women’s Association, and in 1990, they became the Korean Women’s Association of Washington State. Over the years, the KWA has run naturalization programs, worked with immigrants and refugees, opened low-income and senior housing, and provided other services to many parts of Washington’s diverse population.

Here, U Chong Yi (front, in traditional dress) and other Korean senior citizens dance before lunch at the Lakewood Community Center in Pierce County. The weekly lunch was sponsored by the KWA.

Caption information derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph. Additional caption information: Korean Women's Association of Washington State: kwacares.org.