betty was deeply affected by the free speech movement in 1964. the idea spread through her college. students started to have a sense of being a critical part that affects the world. she became radical and got arrested for a couple times in the movement. in 1988, when betty realized in a women artist conference held in san francisco that there were only four asian american artists out of 800 artists, she decided to speak up by establishing the asian american women artists association (aawaa). at that time, asian american artists were excluded from many exhibitions and galleries. there were no representatives for them until the foundation of the asian american women artists association (aawaa).