Tom Chen

The winner of this week’s Wingman award is Tom Chen (07E). Tom is a Women and Gender Studies major, former Peer Advocate of Sexual Respect, and founder of the Amherst College Men’s Project.

Nominated for his recent effort to bring the documentary filmmaker Byron Hurt to campus to speak about Hip Hop and Masculinity, Tom has long been a paragon of sexual respect among his peers. Starting at the end of his freshman year, he initiated public forums for men to discuss their role in the prevention of sexual violence against women and talk openly about definitions of manhood. Soon after, Tom organized the Men’s Project, one of the pioneer organizations of its kind in the country.

In his time at Amherst, Tom has consistently challenged men to reject violence and misogyny by standing alongside the women in their lives. He has acted to bring prominent speakers to campus (Don McPherson, Sut Jhally, Byron Hurt), organized a Mentors in Violence Prevention Training session, coordinated with the Men’s Resource Center of Amherst to participate in the annual Men’s Walk to End Abuse, and produced countless other campus campaigns.

Just as importantly, Tom is a great guy. He’s kind, respectful, and really listens to the women and men in his life. Always ready with an idea or a smile, Tom is not afraid to question his own point of view; furthermore, he has the courage to respectfully confront male peers on attitudes he disagrees with. Indeed, it is the qualities of humility, respect, and social courage which make Tom the epitome of an Amherst College Wingman.