* The interview was conducted in May 2002

University Education

Bachelor of Law, HKU, 1974
Post-graduate Certificate in Laws, 1975

Current Employment

Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission

Previous Employment

She was a Trainee Solicitor (then articled clerk) with Wilkinson & Grist after university. She was a solicitor there until she joined another firm which later became 2 firms and she became a partner of Robert W.H. Wang & Co at its commencement.

Community Service

I find helping people gives me much satisfaction and I've done this over the year through involvement with various Community Service activities.

Click here to see full list.

I chose the LL.B programme from a simple process of elimination.

Although I excelled in my university studies and was awarded an Alumni Medal for Outstanding Student from the HKU Law Faculty, Law was not a burning passion for me, at least not when I was a student. However, I soon discovered that different aspects of the Law could be integrated to help people and corporations solve real-life problems when I began my traineeship.

I see my real career as helping people.

Increasingly, helping people became the most fulfilling part of my work. To achieve this goal fundamental changes brought about through legislation were necessary. Being a member of the Legislative Council gave me the opportunity to apply theoretical and practical legal knowledge to helping people.

At the time, the existing Bill of Rights contained omissions that did not ensure equal opportunities for people in the private sector. It was imperative to me that this omission be redressed. I took the initiative to bring about some changes. After collaborating with numerous parties, and devoting much of my own time and resources, I initiated in July 1994 and steered the Equal Opportunities Private Member's Bill through Legco.

After Legco and a short stint in private practice, I returned to full-time public service acting as the Chairperson to the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Heading the Equal Opportunities Commission is hard work...

Everyone's definition of what constitutes equal opportunity differs, so it is essential, though difficult, to ensure that the interests of everyone in Hong Kong are catered for. Equal opportunity is a social contract that takes into account the views of an entire community. It is the concept of level playing field and equal ACCESS to all.

To ensure that everyone is treated fairly, the EOC conducts extensive research, defines parameters through legislation, and (where necessary) enforces the Law through legal process. The job involves satisfying many different interests and constantly finding the best way to balance them. This balancing act is tiring work!

But it's fulfilling!

Despite the hard work, my job is very enjoyable. Providing fair treatment to every Hong Kong citizen provides great satisfaction.

My school education and search for identity were driving forces in shaping my career direction

I took my secondary schooling at Maryknoll, a Catholic school. I believe my sense of community spirit came from various community service activities undertaken there. After finishing school I felt the need to find my identity within the framework of Hong Kong. This was something important to many second generation Hong Kong people. The combination of these two factors helped put me on my career path.

The critical factor to my success is...

Friends who have been positive, trustworthy, and professionally helpful throughout my working life.

The Next Step

Despite our achievements, the pursuit of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination needs to go further. A lot of inequality and discrimination comes from lack of education and out-dated social conventions. To redress this, more research and public education work are needed.

Advice to Students

• Making a living is not living - of course being financially independent is important, but don't forget your hopes and dreams.
• Don't let fear of failure stand in the way of fulfilling your dreams.
• Don't be a slave to your day job!
• Enjoy the process of whatever you are doing.
• Emulating successful people is a good idea, but don¡¦t feel bitter if you don't achieve the same level of success.

Which web-site would I recommend to students?

The EOC site, of course!