AAJA's Lifetime Achievement Award honors an Asian American who has demonstrated courage and commitment to the principles of journalism over the course of a life's work.

The 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award went to Lori Matsukawa.

Lori Matsukawa

Lori, a co-anchor with NBC-affiliate KING 5 in Seattle, first joined the station in 1983 as a reporter and co-anchor for a news show called "Top Story." From 1984 to 1990, she also co-hosted "Celebrate the Differences," a weekly KING 5 minority affairs program.

Lori is a founding member of AAJA's Seattle Chapter and served as chapter president and co-chaired the 1991 national convention in Seattle.

Her professional awards include ARBY Awards in 1987, 1989, 1992, 1996 and 2000, given by the Academy of Religious Broadcasting; a Society of Professional Journalists award for Economic Reporting in 1989; and the "American Scene Award," from the local chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 1986.

"Beyond her professional achievements, what really stood out was her continuing support and dedication to the advancement of Asian American journalists," said award judges. "Matsukawa is clearly a leader whose influence and actions inspire change. She has made it her mission to build a culture of diversity in newsrooms by mentoring hundreds of young Asian American journalists."

Read Lori's acceptance speech at the 2005 Gala Scholarship & Awards Banquet.