“It’s a painful part of our history,” she acknowledged.

It’s just an assumption people make when they look at me.”Īnd she has seen the images of violence that the Asian American Pacific Islander community has endured. I’ve been handed dirty glasses in different receptions. But every time I wear my black shirt, for some reason, people assume that I’m part of the wait staff. “I think it’s a beautiful style that (Seattle fashion designer) Luly Yang has designed for me. “Yes, there are times, because I like to wear a mandarin collar, especially under my robe,” she said. I do believe that my life experience makes a difference at the table.”īut her lofty position has not shielded her from the indignity of still being seen as “the other.” “I would say it took longer than it should have for us to be here and yet at the same time, I have to say that Ii just am thrilled with the opportunity to serve the public. Her appointment was a trio of firsts: first Asian, first Latina and first openly gay justice in the state.

Yu has sat on the Washington State Supreme Court since 2014.