New mural celebrating Wong Kim Ark and the legacy of birthright citizenship
Last year, longtime OLLI member Linda Wing wrote a moving (and infuriating) OLLI blog post titled “The Impermanence of Birthright Citizenship,” in which she shared the story of her grandmother, Mary Wing.
Despite being a second-generation, native-born American, Mary was stripped of her birthright citizenship in 1920. Why? She had the audacity to marry a Chinese immigrant. Her story was deeply intertwined with the landmark 1898 Supreme Court victory of Wong Kim Ark — the case that originally guaranteed birthright citizenship on U.S. soil.
When Linda shared her family’s history, she hoped to shine a light on the increasingly precarious nature of constitutional rights. She had no idea that her words would spark an incredible real-world tribute in the heart of San Francisco.
Today, we are thrilled to share an update with you.
A Sudden Change of Plans, A Lasting Tribute
Linda’s blog post caught the attention of local artist Marina Perez-Wong. At the time, Marina, along with Elaine Chu and Vogue, were already designing a massive new mural in San Francisco to celebrate Wong Kim Ark and the legacy of birthright citizenship.
When Marina read about Linda’s grandmother, Mary, she knew they had to act. Even though the mural had already been designed, officially approved, and started, the artists pivoted, and Marina added Mary’s portrait alongside Wong Kim Ark.
Now, almost exactly one month after she began, the mural is complete.
Closeup of Mary Wing's certificate of naturalized American citizenship — the document that sparked the story
The mural stands in an incredibly significant location: the corner of Sacramento Street and Grant Avenue — the very spot where Wong Kim Ark was born.
The mural was commissioned in anticipation of a June 26 celebration featuring San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and a direct descendant of Wong Kim Ark, timed alongside the impending U.S. Supreme Court decision in Trump v. Barbara. Today, it stands as a fierce and proud call for justice and a reminder of the human lives behind constitutional rights.
In the National Spotlight
The rest of the country is already taking notice. Recently, the mural took center stage on national and local television. CBS Sunday Morning, as well as the local NBC affiliate, aired segments addressing birthright citizenship and the current administration’s challenges to it — both featuring the new mural prominently.
We thank Linda for sharing her family's story with the OLLI community last year, and we are overjoyed to see Mary Wing's legacy permanently woven into the history — and streets — of San Francisco.
Linda Wing stands beside the mural