The Massachusetts Bar Association is pleased to announce that
Ying Wang, a third-year law student at New England Law | Boston is
the first-ever recipient of the MBA's Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Scholarship. The $10,000 scholarship will be awarded at the MBA's
Annual Dinner on May 7, at the Westin Boston Waterfront.
MBA Treasurer Jeffrey N. Catalano, who chaired the MBA's Oliver
Wendell Holmes Jr. Scholarship Committee, said Wang is a worthy
recipient of the inaugural scholarship.
"Ms. Wang demonstrated an impressive deep and sincere commitment
to serving the underprivileged," Catalano said. "From her rise from
humble beginnings, to paying for college through ROTC, to achieving
academic success at New England Law | Boston, she confirmed that
she has the resilience, character and empathy so necessary to
servicing the poor. The MBA is very proud to support her in her
heroic journey."
A daughter of immigrants, Wang considers herself a "public
kid."
"Growing up in Boston, I lived in public housing, benefitted
from public assistance, went to public schools [and] took public
transportation," she said. Now, as Wang looks beyond graduation,
she plans to dedicate her life to public service.
In addition to her studies, Wang currently serves as a
legislative intern to State Rep. Elizabeth A. Malia. As a new
attorney, Wang said she intends to focus her efforts on making sure
adequate mental health services are provided to those who are often
overlooked by the system - a population that often feels like they
have nowhere to turn.
"Mental health problems disrupt an individual's ability to
participate fully in society," said Wang. "As a future attorney, I
would like to work on ways to enhance and protect the rights of
such individuals to lead full and independent lives free of
discrimination."
One demographic particularly susceptible to mental health issues
are the men and women serving in the armed forces returning from
overseas combat. As a First Lieutenant in the United States Army,
Wang has seen firsthand the effects Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
has on our servicemen and servicewomen.
Whether serving her country or serving her community, it is
clear Wang has a passion for public service. From "public kid" to
public servant, Wang truly embodies what it means to give back.
About the MBA's Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Scholarship
The MBA's Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Scholarship awards a $10,000
scholarship to a third-year law student currently attending a
Massachusetts law school who is committed to providing legal
assistance to underrepresented individuals and communities upon
graduating. Candidates applying for this scholarship must meet the
qualities that the MBA values and finds essential in those who will
become practicing attorneys. In particular, applicants must (1)
demonstrate a strong and specific commitment to serve the public
interest, (2) have a proven record of hard work and academic
accomplishment, and (3) have demonstrated integrity and
honesty.