Josephine Wang
MCGOP Central Committee Member Josephine Wang passed away last week following a long illness. The MCGOP recently cited Ms. Wang for her service to the Country, the County and the Republican Party. Read this thoughtful remembrance by Dwight Patel, her friend and Vice Chair of the Maryland Republican Party.
The Montgomery County Republican community mourns the loss of a remarkable leader, Josephine Wang. A long-standing member of the Montgomery County Republican Club and the Chevy Chase Women’s Republican Club, Josephine’s legacy is marked by her unwavering dedication to public service, her advocacy for education and transportation, and her lifelong commitment to the Republican cause.
Josephine Wang served as an at-large member of the Republican Central Committee and was actively involved in various community organizations, including the Gaithersburg Senior Council and the Commission on Children and Youth. As the founder and president of the Republican Asian Assembly, Josephine played a crucial role in promoting diversity within the party. Her work extended to her own community, where she was a valued member of the Brighton East II Community and a Eucharistic minister at St. Raphael's Catholic Church.
Born in China, Josephine's life was shaped by her early experiences in refugee camps before coming to America. She often shared stories of her childhood in Queens, New York, where she grew up in a house reminiscent of Archie Bunker’s iconic home from All in the Family. It was in this environment, alongside her brothers, that she learned the importance of standing her ground—qualities that would define her political career and personal life.
Josephine's dedication to public service led her to run for the Maryland House of Delegates three times and for the State Senate in 2018. She also served in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, making significant contributions to education policy. Under Reagan, she worked alongside Secretary of Education William Bennett at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs. During the Bush administration, she was a member of the Intergovernmental Advisory Coordinating Council on Education. In 2020, she chaired President Trump’s campaign in Montgomery County, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to Republican ideals.
Education was a cornerstone of Josephine's advocacy. She was deeply concerned about school safety and was a strong proponent of increased funding for non-public schools, believing that parents should have greater choice in their children’s education. Her commitment to learning extended beyond politics; Josephine earned a BA from Queens College and an MA from George Washington University. She taught Mandarin to adults in Montgomery County for 25 years, sharing her heritage and enriching the cultural fabric of the community.
Transportation was another focus of Josephine’s activism. She supported Governor Hogan’s plans to widen Montgomery County highways and advocated for increased funding for the Metro system to ensure its maintenance and expansion, recognizing its critical role in keeping the region vibrant and connected.
Josephine also had a compassionate view on immigration issues. She urged DACA recipients who had become contributing members of the community to pursue citizenship, reflecting her belief in the American dream and the value of cultural diversity.
Throughout her career, Josephine worked tirelessly alongside other notable Maryland Republicans, such as Governor Bob Ehrlich, Representative Connie Morella, State Senator Jean Roesser, and Representative Helen Bentley. Her name was synonymous with Republican politics in Montgomery County, known for her extensive service, leadership, and generous support of countless Republican candidates and causes.
Josephine Wang’s life was a testament to the values she cherished: hard work, dedication to community, and the importance of education. Her advice to others—“Learn English, get the highest degree possible, maintain a portion of your own heritage, and become a lawmaker”—resonates as a powerful message of empowerment and hope.
As we remember Josephine, we celebrate her many achievements and her lasting impact on Montgomery County and beyond. She was not just a Republican; she was a trailblazer, a mentor, and an inspiration to all who had the privilege to know her. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders and activists in Montgomery County and the Republican Party.