Each year, the New York State Senate recognizes a group of outstanding women whose accomplishments and dedication can be lauded and celebrated. These Women of Distinction are each selected by their respective State Senators as role models who step up to serve their communities and their neighbors.

On September 9, 2021, New York State Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-North Hills) presented Tai Wang of Sands Point as her 2021 Woman of Distinction honoree.

Tai Wang, her husband, and their one-year-old daughter, Shelley, came to the United States more than 30 years ago, chasing their dreams. With little money, they purchased a grocery retailer in Queens, and in 1984, they established WAC Lighting.

Ms. Wang, along with her husband, Tony, have helped to grow WAC into a global engineering and production operation with a vertically integrated design, while upholding their commitment to excellence and reinvestment. WAC has grown into one of the largest lighting manufacturers in the world, and holds several major brands, including Modern Forms Schonbek Crystal Lighting, dweLED, LIMITED and others.

Ms. Wang has received numerous awards, including: 2021 Honoree by the Speaker of the New York City Council for the Lunar New Year Celebration; the Ellis Island Medal of Honor as Distinguished Civic Leadership Award; the President’s Volunteer Service and Leadership Awards from International Leadership Foundation; Humanitarian Service Award and Sponsor Recognition Award from the Gift of Life; Honoree Award from Queens Botanical Garden; North Hempstead Woman’s Role of Honor Award; Sponsor Recognition Award from Selfhelp Community Services; Innovative Leadership Award from LaGuardia Community College; and Honoree Award from the Hofstra University Celebration of Suburban Diversity; Sponsor Recognition Award from Selfhelp’s Chinese Advisory Council; and Honoree of the Year Award from the Chinese-American Planning Council.

She also supports important causes such as Gift of Life, Alliance for Smiles, and the American Red Cross. In her dedication to education, Ms. Wang sponsors not-for-profit organizations, education institutions, the Long Island Research Association’s Science Fair and other programs to offer children opportunities for higher education to fulfill their dreams in life.

Ms. Wang is the Founder and President of the New York Chinese Chorus (NYCC) and the Glow Foundation, with the mission to promote cultural understanding and celebrate the diversity of our communities. The Foundation sponsors cultural festivals, and music and dance performances in the New York metropolitan area. NYCC dedicates its time to volunteer and perform at many venues: The United Nations; CitiField; Brooklyn Botanical Garden; New York City Hall; Farmingdale State University; LaGuardia Community College; Port Washington Landmark Theater; Flushing Town Hall; Merkin Concert Hall Kaufman Music Center; and Lefrak Concert Hall at Queens College.

Tai Wang is living proof that the American Dream still works, she's a treasured member of our community, and an inspiration to us all.