Well-respected architect and philanthropist, William Ming Sing Lee, was born into one of the wealthiest families in Shanghai. (see post one.) As a child, he wanted for nothing...except that which was unattainable: good health and a more empathetic mother. (see post two and post three.) While the war made some things--like great medical care--impossible, it gave him a window into western culture. He began studying at the Shanghai American School, and eventually came to study in the U.S. (see post four and post five.) While Billy's father prepared him for life in America, the man could not prepare Billy for what was to happen in China. (see post six.) Billy continued to persevere in America. He met many kind people along the way, and was forever touched by his homestay experiences. (See post seven.) Upon graduation, he worked for the renowned architect I.M. Pei, married, and built a loving family. Upon retirement, he returned to his hometown of Ningbo to offer his expertise. (see post eight.)
Aside from architecture, one of Billy’s other passions is building human connections. People who know him often joke that he can't go anywhere without making a new friend. In
April, 1990 (ten months after the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing) Billy
co-founded the 1990 Institute, an economic research think-tank to assist
with China’s modernization, and to broker trust and understanding between the
people of the U.S. and China. (See earlier interview with another founding member, Roz Koo.)
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| Billy with Mural Painting Co-Chairs, Sarah Randt (wife of U.S. Ambassador) and Madame Gu (President of All China Women's Federation) |
(To be Continued: Next: Teaching Our Children the Most Important Lesson.)
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