Wing Luke Museum Honors Civil Rights Icon Wing Luke During Community Party

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:30:00 +0000
Press Releases

*Civil Rights Leader Would Have Turned 100 This Year on Feb. 18, 2025*

*SEATTLE, WASHINGTON / ACCESS Newswire / February 10, 2025 / *The Wing Luke Museum announced that it will host a community celebration to honor the legacy and contributions of Wing Chong Luke, a civil rights icon whose anti-discrimination, fair housing, Indigenous fishing rights, and cultural preservation work have indelibly shaped our region. Wing was the first person of color in King County and the first Chinese American elected to the Seattle City Council. Prior to his service on the City Council, Wing was also an assistant attorney general for the state of Washington.

The community celebration, which is part of year-long festivities, takes place at The Wing Luke Museum on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum also announced that for children ages 0-17, admission will be free on Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 16, so families can learn about Wing Luke and his legacy. His birthday was Feb. 18, 1925.

During the community celebration, visitors will be able to view Wing Luke artifacts from the Museum's collection that include his City Council desk, photos from his early life and public service, illustrations, books, and personal items, as well as educational history banners about Wing Luke. Throughout the day, staff will hand out stickers, buttons, and light refreshments.

He was an attorney, served as Washington State assistant attorney general, and was the first Chinese American elected to the Seattle City Council. Wing Luke fought discrimination, advocated for fair housing, and supported Indigenous fishing rights.

While serving as Washington State's assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division from 1957-62 (Gov. Bob Ferguson formed the division and named it after Wing Luke in 2015), Wing participated in groundbreaking court cases. He was the lead attorney on the state's first antidiscrimination Cease & Desist order. He also represented the state (with others) in housing discrimination work that blew open the doors to fair housing in Washington. In 1967, The Wing Luke Museum was founded, named for him. To learn more about Wing Luke, visit https://www.wingluke.org/wl100.

During his time, Wing also argued for preserving some of Seattle's most iconic historic sites, including the historic Pike Place Market, the Central Seattle Waterfront and the Pioneer Square neighborhood. His work to preserve these sites not only retained culture but also continue to be major economic drivers for small businesses and state and city tourism. Information on events and goings-on in celebration of Wing Luke will be announced via our social media pages, e-news and website.

Media interested in attending the community celebration should contact Steve McLean at smclean@wingluke.org or 206-935-6566.

*About The Wing Luke Museum*

The Wing Luke Museum's mission is to connect everyone to the rich history, dynamic cultures, and art of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders through vivid storytelling and inspiring experiences to advance racial and social equity. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, National Park Service Affiliated Area, and the only pan-Asian American museum in the nation, The Wing Luke Museum is a national treasure, preserving and sharing the personal stories of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. In 2025, the Museum will celebrate the 100^th birthday of Wing Chong Luke, our namesake and King County's first Asian American to hold elected office. To learn more about the Museum, visit www.wingluke.org.

*Contact Information*

Steve McLean
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
smclean@wingluke.org
206-935-6566

*SOURCE:* Wing Luke Museum
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