State Rep. Bill Roemer | The Ohio House of Representatives
State Rep. Bill Roemer | The Ohio House of Representatives
State Representative Bill Roemer (R–Richfield) recognized May Juan Chen of Akron for her induction into the Ohio Department of Aging’s Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Statehouse on September 10th. The Hall of Fame acknowledges older Ohioans who have contributed significantly to their professions and communities.
Chen was among ten individuals honored in 2025. At age 78, she was noted for her ongoing work supporting aging communities throughout northeast Ohio.
“I’m pleased to recognize May Chen on all her work at the Jin Huo Community Senior Center in Akron,” said Representative Roemer. “She is a true asset to our community.”
Chen, originally from Hong Kong, immigrated to the United States in 1954. She has worked for many years to build support systems for Asian American and Pacific Islander residents in Ohio. In 2022, she established the Jin Huo Community Senior Center in Akron, which aims to connect older Asian immigrants.
Her dedication has led to several awards and recognitions. She was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame in 2020 and appointed to Akron’s Commission on Aging in 2021. In 2023, she received the Building Global Bridges Award from Global Cleveland and recently earned the Culture and Language Ambassador Award from the Global Ambassadors Language Academy.
The ceremony included participation from eighteen members of the General Assembly representing ten honorees from various parts of Ohio such as Akron, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, Dayton, Northwood, The Plains, Whipple, and Youngstown.
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