Meng makes history

Flushing native Grace Meng was sworn in as a member of the New York State Assembly for the 22nd District recently, in a history-making ceremony in the Assembly chamber in Albany.
The oath of office was administered on Monday, January 12, by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, before Meng’s colleagues and family members.
She becomes only the third Asian-American to serve in the Assembly and the first born in the United States.
Meng succeeds Ellen Young, the first Asian-American woman elected to the Assembly. Her father, Jimmy Meng, served for one term preceding Young and was the first Asian-American elected to the New York State Legislature, representing the district, which covers parts of Flushing.
Prior to seeking elective office, Meng was a founder of F.O.C.U.S. (Friends of the Community Unite & Serve) Community Access Center and president of the Queens Chinese Women’s Association.
She has also served on the boards of Flushing Hospital Medical Center, the American Red Cross, Flushing Savings Bank, Flushing YMCA, and was the former chairperson of the city’s Department of Youth and Community Development’s Neighborhood Advisory Board 7.
Her legal career included a partnership at Yoon and Kim, LLP and she also volunteered as a pro bono attorney for Sanctuary for Families, a domestic violence legal service provider in New York City.
She currently lives with her husband, Wayne Kye, son Tyler, who celebrated his first birthday on December 31, and dog, Bounce.