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 three of a three-part interview, Jan Mah talks about her community involvement including her work with the Sien Lok Society of Calgary, Alberta and her work in politics. She also speaks about Chinatown, discrimination, and the pressure she felt to succeed. Jan explains that inter-racial marriage has been good for Canadian society, as it leads to widespread acceptance of different races. She talks about her efforts to balance home life with community work and a full time job, and her husband’s unhappiness with the extent of her life outside of the home. Jan discusses racism and discrimination that she faced, and ways in which this has changed for her over time. Jan addre
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