Lee, Loretta
Loretta Lee’s family history in Canada dates back more than a century. Both her paternal and maternal grandmothers arrived in Calgary, Alberta, in the early 1900s as two of the first Chinese women to arrive in the city. Loretta’s mother, Nellie Ho Lem, was very active in her community as a member of the United Church and the Lady Laurier Club, a women’s organization for the Liberal Party. Loretta grew up in Calgary and in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, where the family lived for a number of years. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Loretta has actively pursued community work and has been a volunteer with the Sien Lok Society in Calgary since its inception.
‘[My mother] did a lot socially. She belonged to a bridge club. And she belonged to the parent-teachers association. She was very active in the United Church. She and my dad both curled a lot. She was I think what we might call today an activist.’
Loretta Lee’s mother, Nellie, was heavily involved in her community. Loretta credits Nellie’s community-mindedness to Loretta’s paternal grandfather Ho Lem, who made efforts to integrate into Canadian society.
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