Victoria, BC – The Royal BC Museum, in partnership with the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society, is pleased to announce the official opening of the Chinese Canadian Nurses display, now on display in Old Town, New Approach on the museum’s 3rd floor.
“As BC’s provincial museum, we are honoured to partner with and support the Victoria Chinatown Museum; sharing these powerful stories of resilience and determination,” says Tracey Drake, CEO of the Royal BC Museum. “This display sheds light on the difficult realities of racism faced by Chinese Canadian women in the workplace during the early 1900s, and honours the courage of those who broke barriers, paving the way for future generations.”
“Acknowledging the intersection of race and gender in the lives of Chinese Canadian women is the first step in being able to move forward in a meaningful way,” says Grace Wong Sneddon, chair of the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society.
In the early 20th century, career options for Chinese Canadian women in British Columbia were limited. While nursing and teaching were two primary professions for women, Chinese women faced systemic exclusion from these fields, with opportunities largely confined to private clinics and schools within Chinatown.
The Chinese Canadian Nurses display highlights the journeys of two significant women: Anna Fong Dickman and Rebecca Leung. These pioneers broke barriers and made a lasting impact on the healthcare profession in BC.
Anna Fong Dickman was the first Chinese Canadian Registered Nurse in the province. She completed her nursing training at Nanaimo General Hospital from 1926 to 1929. Despite graduating, Anna was rejected by four hospitals due to her ethnicity. It wasn’t until 1931 that she was hired by the King’s Daughters Hospital in Duncan, overcoming significant discrimination in her pursuit of a nursing career.
Rebecca Leung was the first Chinese Canadian nurse to train and practice in Victoria. She graduated in 1943 from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing and worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital until her marriage to Charlie Kee in the 1940s, when she moved to Vancouver.
The display features a collection of personal items, including uniforms worn by Rebecca Leung, historic photographs, media displays, textbooks, and handwritten notes, offering visitors an intimate look at the lives of these extraordinary women.
This display is the latest addition to the reimagined Old Town, New Approach, located near the train station on the 3rd floor of the Royal BC Museum. Over time, more untold stories and diverse perspectives will be integrated into the human history galleries, fostering greater understanding of British Columbia’s rich and varied history.
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About the Royal BC Museum: The Royal BC Museum, which includes BC Archives, IMAX® Victoria and PARC Campus, is one of the oldest continually operating museums in Canada. A centre of learning and research, it strives to broaden our understanding of British Columbia through collections, exhibitions, outreach and community engagement. The museum celebrates the province’s diverse landscapes and the lives of the people who live here, enables research and knowledge sharing that advances our understanding of our world, and provides a dynamic place for discussion and reflection. IMAX® Victoria delivers educational and entertaining experiences that accompany the learning journey the museum offers.
The Royal BC Museum is located on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, known today as the Songhees and Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt Nation). We acknowledge and respect the history of Indigenous peoples, who are our partners in museum matters and community alike.
For information about PARC Campus, visit: PARC Campus | Royal BC Museum and Archives.
About the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society: The Victoria Chinatown Museum Society (VCMS) operates the Victoria Chinatown Museum, located in Canada’s oldest Chinatown. The living museum celebrates the rich history of Chinese Canadian pioneers and their contributions to the cultural fabric of Victoria and British Columbia. The museum in historic Fan Tan Alley features a permanent collection of images and artifacts, complemented by rotating collections and pop-up exhibits that bring stories to life.
A dynamic hub for learning, tourism and celebration in Victoria’s Chinatown, the museum also offers educational programs and hosts public events.
For more information visit: victoriachinatownmuseum.com
