Mayor declares April 23 ‘Y. Ping Sun Day’

Not only was Rice University Representative Y. Ping Sun honored Thursday by the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, but Mayor Annise Parker ’78 declared April 23 “Y. Ping Sun Day” in Houston. Houston City Council member Ellen Cohen presented a proclamation from the mayor to Sun at the Girl Scouts’ Success to Significance luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. Cohen noted that the mayor could not attend today’s event because she is out of the country.

University Representative Y. Ping Sun (left) receives the mayor's proclamation from Houston City Council member Ellen Cohen.

“The city of Houston commends and appreciates Y. Ping Sun for setting an example for Houston’s young people, particularly young women, by succeeding academically and professionally and giving back to her community generously,” the proclamation says.

Sun, a native of Shanghai, has been a resident of Houston for more than 10 years. “She works with diligence and grace for the benefit of both her home country and her adopted hometown as chair of the Mayor’s International Trade and Development Council for Asia/Australia,” the proclamation says.

The document notes Sun’s “deep commitment to the young people of our community” through her involvement in Early Matters, an initiative to improve early childhood education, and her frequent participation in events such as the Youth Leadership Forum.

It also cites the many accolades she has received, including being named “Woman on the Move” by Texas Executive Women, “One of the Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas” by Texas Diversity and Leadership Council and among the “50 Most Influential Women” by Houston Women Magazine.

The proclamation also mentions Sun being honored by the Girl Scouts.

Mary Vitek, CEO of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, said, “Ping has been a long-time supporter of Girl Scouts and has used her personal and professional success to make a positive investment in our community. For that she is truly an inspiration to our girls, volunteers and supporters and we are grateful to recognize her as our 2015 honoree.”

Describing Sun as a “social investor,” the Girl Scouts noted on its website that in addition to being the wife of Rice President David Leebron and a university representative, Sun serves on the advisory boards for the Shepherd School of Music and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research. She is honorary co-chair of the Baker Institute Roundtable and hosts the “Something New for Lunch at Rice University” luncheon series.

Sun, who is of counsel at Yetter Coleman LLP, has served as a trustee of Texas Children’s Hospital; a board member of Asia Society Texas Center and of United Way of Greater Houston; and an advisory board member of Asian Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Community Center and Houston Arts Alliance.