HerStory pays tribute to some of the incredible women who have made or are continuing to make important contributions to Toronto’s history and story. With their talents, skills, determination and perseverance these inspiring women have woven together a more equitable future for us all.
The questions from the floor were mostly directed to me because of the fact that I was a woman and the issue was family reunion… I feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to be out front as an official spokesperson. Women have always had to be too much in the background.
– Jean Lumb, on attending the delegation to Prime Minister Diefenbaker to lift restrictions on Family Reunification Laws
The first Chinese Canadian woman and first restaurateur inducted into the Order of Canada, Jean Lumb advocated for the end of immigration policies that had separated families for decades. Born Toy Jin Wong, Jean’s activism and dedication were no small feat. Despite the considerable responsibilities of running the Kwong Chow Restaurant with her husband and raising six children, Lumb held leadership roles in her community. She campaigned to end the total erasure of Toronto’s first Chinatown and played a pivotal role in challenging immigration restrictions that prevented family reunification among Chinese Canadians separated by 24 years of exclusion. She was the sole woman to participate in the delegation to Prime Minister Diefenbaker.
Among her other many contributions, she served for 25 years as the president of the Women’s Association of the Toronto Chinese Community Centre, as a founding director for the Yee Hong Chinese Nursing Home, established business and restaurant associations, and founded a dance troupe. She was also the first Chinese Canadian woman to serve on the boards of Women’s College Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and University Settlement House, among others.
Lumb’s vision and drive powered her to break glass ceilings in a line of many other firsts: Notably, the restaurant industry recognized her with the Fran Deck Award, the first Chinese restaurateur and first woman recipient. The recipient of many other awards and distinctions, she was proudest to be the first restaurateur and Chinese Canadian woman inducted into the Order of Canada.
In fighting racism and advocating for self-representation of Chinese Canadians, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of cross-cultural connections and integration into Canadian life. Her legacy lives on through the Jean Lumb Foundation’s national scholarship program, an Ontario Heritage Trust provincial plaque in Old Chinatown, Jean Lumb Lane in West Chinatown, and Jean Lumb Public School in the Fort York neighbourhood.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO REISTER! On March 24, 7 to 8:30 p.m., join a virtual online panel discussion with special guests in conversation about women and mental wellness followed by Q&A. Link for registration is here.
Credits
Written by Arlene Chan, daughter of Jean Lumb, for Toronto History Museums.
Image of Jean Lumb courtesy of Arlene Chan. Collage by artist Nicole Moss.
Information from: Toronto.ca
