Remembering Stanford alumnus and Stanford Multicultural Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, Wilma Chan MA ’94

Our community suffered a tragic loss with the passing of Stanford alumnus and Stanford Multicultural Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, Wilma Chan MA ’94, who was struck by a vehicle as she was walking her dog, Maggie. 

Wilma was a beloved community leader who fought for racial and social justice for over five decades.  Fresh out of college, Wilma and a group of fellow activists founded the Chinese Progressive Association in San Francisco, a grassroots, community based organization fighting for workers and tenants rights.

Most recently, she was a member of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.  Always a trailblazer, Wilma was the first Asian American elected to the Board. She was also the first Asian American and first woman ever to serve as the majority leader of the California State Assembly.  She dedicated her career as an elected official to serving families, children, communities of color, immigrants, the undocumented, and the underserved. 

In recognition of her contributions, the Asian American Activities Center inducted Wilma into the Multicultural Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004.  Wilma’s legacy lives on in the countless lives she has touched through her advocacy and leadership.