Michelle Wu is a popular American politician who was born on January 14, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois to a Taiwanese American family. Ms. Wu is a member of the Democratic Party and has been serving as the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts since November 16, 2021. She is the first Asian woman to be elected as the mayor of Boston.
Ms. Wu graduated from Barrington High School in 2003 and then received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Harvard University in 2007. After completing her graduation, she worked as a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). During this time, her mother developed severe mental illness and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Wu returned to Chicago to take care of her mother and two youngest siblings and resigned from her job to take care of her mother and younger siblings.
Ms. Wu started a teahouse business in Chicago to help her family financially. In 2009, she returned to Massachusetts to earn her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Harvard Law School, which she completed in 2012.
Early political career
Wu’s political career began in 2010 when she worked in the Office of Administration and Finance for Mayor Thomas Menino at Boston City Hall and later as a Fellow at the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy. During her tenure at City Hall, Wu helped create a streamlined process for restaurants to obtain licenses and established a food truck program. She also worked at the Boston Medical Center-based Medical Legal Partnership, which provides legal services to low-income patients.
Michelle Wu’s political journey began in 2013 when she was elected to the Boston City Council. She made history as the first Asian American woman to serve on the council. Wu’s dedication and progressive stance led to her being re-elected in 2015, 2017, and 2019, with her placing first in the latter two elections. Her impressive tenure on the council led to her being elected as Council President from 2016 to 2018, making her the first woman of colour and Asian American to hold the position.
Accomplishments as a City Councilor
As a city councilor, Wu led various initiatives and wrote ordinances that have had a lasting impact on Boston. Her accomplishments include advocating for a paid parental leave ordinance that results in city employees receiving six weeks of paid parental leave following childbirth, stillbirth, or adoption. She also played a key role in passing ordinances to protect wetlands, ban plastic bags, promote climate change adaptation, and provide paid parental leave to municipal employees.
Wu’s commitment to addressing housing affordability in Boston led her to create and pass legislation on short-term rental regulations and propose policies to create truly affordable housing and end chronic homelessness. She has also been a strong proponent of transportation policies that prioritise economic, racial, and climate justice, including fare-free transit and improving cycling infrastructure.
Election as Mayor of Boston
In September 2020, Wu announced her candidacy for Mayor of Boston in the 2021 election. She won the election in November 2021, making history as the first woman and person of color to be elected as Mayor of Boston. Wu has taken several steps as mayor, including signing ordinances to divest city funds from fossil fuels, private prisons, and the tobacco industry.
Priorities as Mayor
Since taking office, Mayor Wu has spent little time implementing her policy platform and addressing key issues. She signed ordinances removing city funds from fossil fuels, private prisons, and the tobacco industry, demonstrating her commitment to climate action and social justice. She has also launched the Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools, which aims to reduce building emissions, renovate facilities, and modernize the education system). Additionally, Mayor Wu has expanded early childhood services and established several new offices to advance food justice, Black male advancement, LGBTQ+ advancement, and worker empowerment.
Family and Relationships
Michelle Wu Boston’s husband is Connor Peversky, whom she married in 2012. They met while attending Harvard College. Peversky moved to Chicago with Wu to support their family. The couple now lives in Boston’s Roslindale neighborhood with their two sons and Wu’s mother.
Wu gave birth to her first child, a son, in 2014, making her the first member of the Boston City Council to give birth while in office. Her second son was born in 2017.
Wu’s mother, who still struggles with mental health issues, lives with family in Boston. Wu credits her mother’s wisdom and caring as a source of support as she campaigns and serves as mayor.
Hobbies and Interests
Michelle Wu is an accomplished pianist and plays the cafe keyboard in quiet moments at her literary-themed tea shop in Chicago. She has a passion for literature and has named the teas in her cafe after literary characters and themes, such as “The Green Gatsby”, “Hermione’s Potion”, and “Dorian (Earl) Grey”. She loves poetry and hosts monthly “Poetry Love-In” events and open mic nights at her tea shop.
Philanthropic Work
Michelle Wu has been involved in many philanthropic initiatives throughout her career, including:
Bloomberg Philanthropies Partnership with Boston Public Schools
Ms. Wu together with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Mass General Brigham, announced a $37.8 million grant to transform the Edward M. Kennedy Academy of Health Careers (EMK) into a national model of career-related education. This partnership aims to double the size of the school, add new health career pathways, and provide graduates with access to well-paying careers at Mass General Brigham.
Rappaport Foundation Fellowship
Ms. Wu credits the Rappaport Foundation for having a significant impact on her career. She was a Rappaport Fellow, which provided her with the opportunity to work closely with the city government and see the potential for the government to have a positive impact.
Partnerships with Philanthropic Foundations and Higher Education
Ms. Wu has emphasized the importance of partnerships with philanthropic foundations and higher education institutions to advance key initiatives in Boston. She has announced significant grants to arts and cultural organizations, demonstrating her commitment to supporting the cultural sector in Boston.
Mass General Brigham
Ms. Wu has partnered with Mass General Brigham to support initiatives such as career-relevant education and providing graduates access to well-paying careers within the organization.
Returning Citizens
Ms. Wu has announced grant funding to help returning citizens transition more smoothly back into their communities, emphasizing the importance of community support for those reentering society. These initiatives reflect Wu’s focus on community engagement, outreach, and equitable growth of Boston, and highlight her commitment to philanthropic efforts that benefit city residents.
Conclusion
Overall, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has made significant contributions to the city through her work in community activism, government, and philanthropy. She has been the lead sponsor of several major ordinances, including paid parental leave, healthcare equity, and communication access, that have improved the lives of Boston residents. Michelle Wu’s legacy is marked by her progressive policies, commitment to social justice, and personal experiences that have shaped her approach to community engagement and leadership.
FAQs
1. Who is Michelle Wu?Ans: Michelle Wu is the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts.
2. How old is Michelle Wu?Ans: 39 Years
3. How tall is Michelle Wu?Ans: Not Identify
4. What nationality is Michelle Wu?Ans: American
5. Who is Michelle Wu husband?Ans: Michelle Wu Boston’s husband is Connor Peversky, whom she married in 2012
Ans: 2 sons, Blaise Wu and Cass Wu
7. What languages does Michelle Wu speak?Ans: Michelle Wu speaks Mandarin Chinese and English fluently.
8. What salary is Michelle Wu?Ans: Michelle Wu’s salary is $207,000 per year as of 2023.
9. Where does Michelle Wu live?Ans: Michelle Wu lives in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband, Conor Pewarski, and their two sons, Blaise and Cass.
10. What party is Michelle Wu with?Ans: Democratic
