Mah, Jan
Jan Mah (née Wong) is a third generation Chinese Canadian. Her parents were part-owners and operators of the Sunrise Drive-in Restaurant from 1956 to the 1970s, one the first Chinese restaurants with carhop service in Calgary, Alberta. Growing up, Jan worked at the restaurant’s dairy bar and also immersed herself in community and social activities. She led a busy work life, becoming the first woman to recruit for executive positions at a recruiting firm. In addition to raising her son and establishing a career, Jan has been an active contributor to Calgary’s Sien Lok Society as Lifetime Honourary Director and President. Jan resided in Calgary at the time of the interview.
In part one of a five-part interview, Jan Mah discusses her family’s immigration history, her parents’ arranged marriage and family business, and Jan’s childhood in Vancouver, British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta. When talking about her childhood memories, Jan describes her mother as a typical obedient Chinese woman and defines herself as a strong-willed child. Jan explains that she helped out in the family restaurant, beginning when she was 13 years old. She also recounts her preferred leisure activities as a young woman, namely reading and joining a variety of extra-curricular clubs and activities in high school.
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