Oakland – Three days after the sudden death of longtime East Bay political leader, Wilma Chan, and the expressions of shock and condolences continue to pour in. Chan was struck and killed by a car while walking her dog on Wednesday morning, November 3. “The announcement of Wilma Chan’s unfortunate passing on Wednesday brought a flood of fond memories of her commitment to Oakland children and families, which for me, started with her campaign to be a school board member in the Oakland Public Schools, and continued throughout her three decades as an elected political leader,” said Gary Yee, Board of Education District 4 Director.
Chan served on the OUSD Board of Education as District 2 Director from August 1990 until January 1995, and was elected Vice President, and then President. She left OUSD when she was elected to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors the first time. “Wilma was a great champion for women leaders and was always supportive of and interested in emerging female leaders,” said Shanthi Gonzales, OUSD Board of Education President. “She was very committed to the success of Oakland children and families and her passing is a great loss for our community. She will be greatly missed.”
In 2000, Chan took office after being elected to the California Assembly where she was the first woman and Asian American to become Majority Leader. “I find some solace knowing that Wilma found joy in her work and being a mom, grandma and in her home,” said Nina Senn, Former OUSD Board of Education Vice President. “I will personally miss her very much – as often the only woman and only Asian American in the room where decisions were being made – she was an important role model and mentor for many of us. May she rest in the quiet power she is known for and may her family feel the appreciative and caring embrace of the community.”
Director Yee added, “Wilma was personally a staunch advocate for ensuring that ‘life circumstances beyond students’ control’ are addressed by the school district, and this vision continues to this day, in Oakland’s continued commitment to full service community schools. She recognized early on the importance of schools as community centers, and she envisioned schools as ‘village centers’ where students and families could obtain resources to address those life circumstances which impeded student success, through nutrition and expanded medical services, youth development enrichment, and family supports.”
Chan left the Assembly in 2006 and returned to the Board of Supervisors in 2011 where she continued to work on behalf of the young people of Oakland, and all county residents. In 2019, Chan allocated $100,000 of Measure A funding to the District to help purchase and install the Flowater hydration stations that are now in all OUSD schools as part of the mitigation of issues surrounding lead that was in some water fixtures on campuses.
Supervisor Wilma Chan (partially hidden, third from right) with Mayor Libby Schaaf, Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell, and others at Allendale Elementary in 2019 celebrating the new Flowater hydration stations and “Attendance Champion,” Carlan Samuels (in red).
On Wednesday, shortly after Chan’s office announced her passing, Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell expressed the District’s condolences. “Supervisor Chan was a pioneer in getting school districts to work with the county health department to improve outcomes for students and families, with proven results. She was also a fierce advocate for early childhood education. She was always focused on positive outcomes for all of her constituents, all residents of Oakland and her entire district both in the county and at the state level. Thank you, Supervisor Chan, for everything that you have done. We will keep your spirit alive as we move forward doing the work of the district in support of the young people of Oakland.”
About the Oakland Unified School District
In California’s most diverse city, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is dedicated to creating a learning environment where “Every Student Thrives!” More than half of our students speak a non-English language at home. And each of our 80 schools is staffed with talented individuals uniting around a common set of values: Students First, Equity, Excellence, Integrity, Cultural Responsiveness and Joy. We are committed to preparing all students for college, career and community success.
To learn more about OUSD’s Full Service Community District focused on academic achievement while serving the whole child in safe schools, please visit OUSD.org and follow us @OUSDnews.
Post based on press release from OUSD to ZENNIE62MEDIA, Inc.