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Breaking into the ‘Old Boy Network’

Leverett Wing.

Asian American chosen as one of ten outstanding young leaders

By Ji Hyun Lim

In Massachusetts’ Irish American-dominated political circles, Leverett Wing was often mistaken for a janitor or mail boy.

He still works in the state capitol, but today, as the business manager for the Massachusetts’ Senate president, most people know him by name.

“[Stereotypes] angered me but it also helped drive me and inspired me to keep going in the state government,” he says.

Chinese American Wing has proven himself as a political leader. He was named one of 2001 Ten Outstanding Young Leaders in Greater Boston for his advocacy work with the API community. Wing, 32, is the only API recipient this year. Past honorees include former President John F. Kennedy, composer Leonard Bernstein, and businessman Sumner Redstone.

The award, first presented in 1952, recognizes individuals between the ages of 21 and 40 who have distinguished themselves, personally and professionally, and who have been active in serving the community.

Wing graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University in 1990 and a master’s of public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. An administrator to Sen. Thomas F. Birmingham, Wing says Massachusetts’ politics tends to be dominated by an “old boys network.” He is working to break that tradition.

“Our political organizing is very much in its infancy here in Massachusetts,” Wing says. “A lot of people don’t realize policy decisions are made every day here which affect Asian Americans.”

Wing hopes that through his visibility, more Asian Americans will seek leadership positions. Currently, he sits on the board of directors of the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, the Asian Community Development Corporation, as well as other API advocacy groups. He is also the founder of the Massachusetts Younger Asian American Caucus (MYAAC), a non-partisan organization that attempts to educate and encourage Asian Americans to explore careers in politics or public service.

“I thought the best way to generate the next generation of political activists was to start young,” Wing says. “That’s where the next leaders would come from.”

So far, the MYAAC successfully outreached and helped register 400 APIs for the 2000 elections.

“We try to link up with community organizations,” Wing says. “That’s where our lifeblood is. If our mission [to increase political participation] is going to succeed, we have to educate as many people as possible. That’s the key.”