| Collection |
WSJHS |
| Description |
Portrait doll of Wing Luke, young Chinese male, painted head w short black artificial hair glued to head- wears a grey flannel wool suit, white shirt, tie- doesn't stand up, on a wire stand that doesn't work- black leather shoes, no nails. Wing Luke was a young, popular, 1960's WA State representative who tragically was killed in a plane crash.
Wing Chong Luke (1925-1965) was the first Asian American to hold elected office in the State of Washington. Only half way through his senior year, Luke was inducted into the Army. Initially in the Army Specialized Training Program, he then joined the infantry and field artillery and was acting first sergeant and regimental S-1 sergeant in the 40th division Field Artillery. He served in Guam, Korea, New Guinea, New Britain and the Philippines where he received the Bronze Star. Initially in private practice, he soon was appointed the Assistant Attorney General of the State of Washington, in the Civil Rights Division and served in that capacity from 1957-1962. In December, 1961 Luke took a leave of absence from his duties to file for position number 5 on the Seattle City Council, which he won, and was sworn in on March 13, 1962, when he became the first Asian American to hold elected office in the Pacific Northwest. Believing that the culture and traditions of Chinese and other Asian immigrants should be preserved and taught, Luke envisioned a place to present the history and important issues of Asian Americans. The Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle's International District was founded to fulfill that vision.
|
| Object Name |
Dolls, portrait |
|
