Michelle Wu wins historic election as Boston mayor

November 2, 2021 Michelle Wu made history in Boston, becoming the first woman and first person of color to be elected as the city’s mayor. Wu, born in Chicago, is the child of Taiwanese immigrants to the US. She moved to Boston to attend Harvard College and Harvard Law School. After working in a small business and in management consulting, she returned to serve on the Boston City Council for three terms. She became the first Asian American to serve on the City Council, and the first Asian American to serve as City Council President.

She ran on a progressive platform — affordable childcare, free public transit, and a Green New Deal — that she credits to her upbringing and a desire to recapture Boston’s role as a pioneer for public education, public parks, public transportation, and other social advances.  According to her campaign site, she states: “Growing up, I never thought I would run for office one day. As the daughter of immigrants, I understood from my youngest days how my family and so many others feel unseen and unheard in our society.”

Her victory speech is here and below.

Additional coverage from the New York Times and the NPR affiliate WBUR here.

MHC