{"id":4841,"date":"2024-11-14T12:40:32","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T17:40:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/?p=4841"},"modified":"2024-11-14T12:40:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T17:40:51","slug":"toronto-activist-jean-lumb-a-lesser-known-pioneer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/eternal-4841-toronto-activist-jean-lumb-a-lesser-known-pioneer","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Activist Jean Lumb: A Lesser-Known Pioneer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Jean Bessie Lumb was a <a href=\"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/uk\/eternal\/dzhudi-rebik-torontska-vplyvova-feministka\">community leader<\/a>, restaurateur, and the first Canadian woman of Chinese descent to be appointed to the Order of Canada. She is known for her successful advocacy to end federal government policies that separated Chinese families. Lumb also led the Chinatown Preservation Committee, striving to prevent further destruction of Toronto\u2019s Chinatown. Read more on<a href=\"http:\/\/torontonka.com\"> torontonka.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0cb2f5818ad\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0cb2f5818ad\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/eternal-4841-toronto-activist-jean-lumb-a-lesser-known-pioneer\/#Childhood_and_Move_to_Toronto\" >Childhood and Move to Toronto<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/eternal-4841-toronto-activist-jean-lumb-a-lesser-known-pioneer\/#Immigration_Reform_and_Family_Reunification\" >Immigration Reform and Family Reunification<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/eternal-4841-toronto-activist-jean-lumb-a-lesser-known-pioneer\/#The_Kwong_Chow_Chop_Suey_House_A_%E2%80%9CReunification_Restaurant%E2%80%9D\" >The Kwong Chow Chop Suey House: A \u201cReunification Restaurant\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/eternal-4841-toronto-activist-jean-lumb-a-lesser-known-pioneer\/#The_Chinatown_Preservation_Committee_and_Lumbs_Activism\" >The Chinatown Preservation Committee and Lumb\u2019s Activism<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/eternal-4841-toronto-activist-jean-lumb-a-lesser-known-pioneer\/#Jean_Lumbs_Legacy_in_Toronto\" >Jean Lumb\u2019s Legacy in Toronto<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Childhood_and_Move_to_Toronto\"><\/span>Childhood and Move to Toronto<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jean was born on July 30, 1919, in Nanaimo, British Columbia, the sixth child in her family. Her father, Fan Gee Wong, had arrived from China in 1899 to work as an agricultural laborer, followed by her mother, Hone Hung Ma, who joined him in Canada several years later. Growing up in Nanaimo and then Vancouver came with challenges, as British Columbia at the time enforced over 100 anti-Chinese laws and policies. Though Jean was a diligent student, she had to leave school at age 12 to help support her family during the Great Depression. In 1935, her older sister urged Jean to move to Sudbury, Ontario, where she had been offered a job. Jean was just 16 years old at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontonka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxd7okacditsfbm18gsr77kmmhpkul7cjffdw-kqjdwyddjsx1wo1460fw-jvbeysic7gfjwvzpbohjep6phz0tqtylkvozxq1ptypvvt43kl0lczdohv40s0dxsojmpl8an_igwngkeyk07kg_jrzxivf5y1wm0a-2xj.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1936, Jean Bessie moved to Toronto, where she opened two fruit stores. Her business became successful enough that she could bring her parents and siblings from Vancouver. Following her mother\u2019s advice, Jean married Doyle Lumb in 1939. However, since Doyle was born in China, Jean lost her Canadian citizenship due to laws that determined a woman\u2019s nationality based on her husband\u2019s status. Together, they ran a fruit store in the Junction area and raised six children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Immigration_Reform_and_Family_Reunification\"><\/span>Immigration Reform and Family Reunification<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Settling in Toronto, Jean was disheartened to see Chinatown populated mainly by bachelors, with few Chinese women present. With families divided by discriminatory policies, only about ten full Chinese families resided in the community. This, combined with her love for family, inspired Jean to advocate for change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lumb gained national recognition for challenging immigration laws that affected her community and family. The Chinese Head Tax, implemented from 1885 to 1923, was Canada\u2019s first race-based immigration legislation. Intended to deter Chinese immigrants, this entry fee required payments of $50, $100, or $500 from her father, mother, and husband, respectively. When the Head Tax proved ineffective in deterring immigration, the government introduced the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, or the &#8220;Chinese Exclusion Act,&#8221; which effectively barred Chinese immigrants for 24 years. All Chinese residents, regardless of citizenship, were required to register for identification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The repeal of this law in 1947 rekindled hope for family reunification, yet restrictions remained. Only Canadian citizens could apply to bring their spouses and unmarried children under 18 to Canada. Driven by the belief that families should be together, Lumb joined a 40-member Canadian-Chinese delegation that lobbied for change. She was the only woman in the delegation that met with Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1957.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Kwong_Chow_Chop_Suey_House_A_%E2%80%9CReunification_Restaurant%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>The Kwong Chow Chop Suey House: A \u201cReunification Restaurant\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Later, Jean and her husband opened the Kwong Chow Chop Suey House in Toronto\u2019s Chinatown in 1959, which operated for 26 years. The restaurant, popular among both Canadians and Chinese, became a hub for politicians, journalists, celebrities, business leaders, and community figures, all contributing to reshaping perceptions of the Chinese community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontonka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxeglypaul__a-hqrp9iehflkcrlhdmauf2xrlqzroybn3zpdrtl_urmk0yy0re2korzsy6wq5sgkvad9xiphzbw3amkcidccarvxljc51wik3nb17hbflfsvqye2jbnrwngcmgzkeyk07kg_jrzxivf5y1wm0a-2xj.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to hosting guests at her restaurant, Lumb introduced Chinese food at establishments such as Eaton\u2019s, Simpsons, and the Royal Ontario Museum, appearing on television and radio to promote her culture. Jean also championed Chinese cultural dance, founding the Ontario Dancers Association in 1959. The troupe performed traditional lion dances and classical Chinese routines at festivals and parades across Canada, even presenting for Queen Elizabeth II during Canada\u2019s centennial in 1967 on Parliament Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Chinatown_Preservation_Committee_and_Lumbs_Activism\"><\/span>The Chinatown Preservation Committee and Lumb\u2019s Activism<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jean\u2019s dedication to preserving and promoting Chinese culture was especially evident through her leadership of the Chinatown Preservation Committee. With two-thirds of Toronto\u2019s original Chinatown demolished for the construction of the new City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square, the city proposed further expropriation. Under Jean\u2019s leadership, the Committee fought to save the remaining Chinatown, preserving a space where the Chinese community could celebrate and share its heritage with Canadians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontonka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxdh1gesfr3jirip3j78ml3xi8zndv6nqzanxwwxnb9mcwhpdghxvgcmtcskduvqo34pd1okew03hhbs3yadzfjcxpawouzs6jq1-cnc_e0dkit5ew7t9hq7gf1vp_ndyxr-g5fznakeyk07kg_jrzxivf5y1wm0a-2xj.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1969, the city adopted a plan to preserve Chinatown. Her desire to bridge cultural divides inspired numerous roles: she was a member of the Ontario Advisory Council on Multiculturalism and Citizenship, founding director and honorary advisor of the Chinese Home for the Aged (Yee Hong) in Greater Toronto, honorary advisor of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, director at Mount Sinai Hospital, and founder of various organizations serving the Chinese community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a citizenship judge, Jean Lumb administered oaths to hundreds of new Canadians, an experience she cherished deeply, particularly as a woman who had once lost her own citizenship due to her marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Jean_Lumbs_Legacy_in_Toronto\"><\/span>Jean Lumb\u2019s Legacy in Toronto<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jean Lumb\u2019s commitment to public service has left a lasting legacy of social activism and cultural pride that continues to benefit the city. Her contributions are remembered through annual scholarships awarded by her foundation to outstanding Chinese Canadian high school students across Canada. An Ontario Heritage Trust plaque marks the site of her former restaurant, Kwong Chow. In 2017, the Toronto District School Board announced that a new downtown school would be named Jean Lumb Public School in her honour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontonka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxdqbaj5uxnpguxhxfwggegcqngbolox6lvvtkxwhxw2lfug7elimfowyoteaojxjjxw5nj-rhkynipq32cuehxy9vpu1sgqxjx4vvcmghoe56c-6agxphs2txwyicppq8r3imghkeyk07kg_jrzxivf5y1wm0a-2xj.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jean Bessie Lumb was a community leader, restaurateur, and the first Canadian woman of Chinese descent to be appointed to the Order of Canada. She is known for her successful advocacy to end federal government policies that separated Chinese families. Lumb also led the Chinatown Preservation Committee, striving to prevent further destruction of Toronto\u2019s Chinatown. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":374,"featured_media":4427,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1035],"tags":[2650,2648,2640,2641,2639,2646,2638,2636,2644,2609,2637,2645,2651,2649,2643,2647,2642],"motype":[1045],"moformat":[127],"moimportance":[34,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-4841","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-psychology-of-women","8":"tag-1919-in-nanaimo","9":"tag-about-which-few-people-know","10":"tag-jean-bessie-lamb-community-leader","11":"tag-jean-lamb","12":"tag-jean-lamb-facts","13":"tag-jean-lamb-history","14":"tag-jean-lamb-photo","15":"tag-jean-was-born-on-july-30","16":"tag-lamb-also-chaired-the-chinatown-preservation-committee","17":"tag-psychology","18":"tag-psychology-of-women","19":"tag-success","20":"tag-successes","21":"tag-the-first-canadian-woman-of-chinese-descent","22":"tag-toronto-activist-jean-lamb","23":"tag-woman-story","24":"tag-women","25":"motype-eternal","26":"moformat-longrid-korotka","27":"moimportance-golovna-novina","28":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/374"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4841"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4841\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4854,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4841\/revisions\/4854"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4841"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=4841"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=4841"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=4841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}