“Every woman must do her part, both on the front lines and at home.” – Edith Mah
Every Woman Has Her Story
Shortly after the end of the Second World War, sisters Alice and Eleanor Wong arrived at Edith Mah’s home in Edmonton’s Chinatown. A few years earlier, Edith had returned to Canada from China. The fact that these young Chinese women from Edmonton had fought in the Sino-Japanese War in China caught the eye of a local reporter, who decided to write an article about them. Throughout the war, the Chinese women who remained in Canada gave all they had to support both Canada and China. Their activism in Chinese Canadian communities across Canada began to shift public perception. Learn more at edmontonka.
They enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, sold Victory Bonds, and raised funds. They also worked in the wartime industries. This momentum helped them gain greater public trust and access.
In China, Chinese Canadian women such as the Wong sisters contributed in their own ways. Alice lived in China for 19 years and earned a nursing degree at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong. She actively treated and cared for Chinese soldiers and civilians. Edith spent three years working as a clerk for the Chinese army. Upon returning to their Edmonton home, the sisters continued their charitable work as members of the Chinese Women’s Club, offering both social and emotional support to all those in need.
Founding a Church and a Club
An Edmonton Journal reporter wrote about the “Chinese Women’s Club,” noting that it was founded by Levina Dickman, the eldest daughter of Reverend Fong Dickman. Arriving from Vancouver in 1930 to establish a United Church for Edmonton’s Chinese community, Reverend Fong initially held church services and Sunday school in his own home. Later, the church acquired its own building. Around 31 Chinese people were baptized by him, and in 1933 Edmonton’s Chinese United Church was officially established. He was accompanied by his third daughter, Anna Dickman, a nurse working at the University Hospital.
Dickman was born in China, emigrated to Vancouver, learned English at the city’s first Methodist Mission in Chinatown, and eventually converted to Christianity. He had a loving wife, three daughters, and one adopted daughter.
Levina was 30 when she arrived in Edmonton. The Chinese Women’s Club was launched soon after her arrival. At that time, there were only 27 Chinese women in Edmonton, largely because of the Chinese Immigration Act. Chinese women faced restrictions on immigrating to Canada.
After the club opened, it steadily grew. It provided Christian Chinese women a social life linked to the church, fostered by friendly collaboration with co-religionists of Canadian background. Almost half of the club members also took part in the Wesley and Central United Church missionary societies. The club’s president was Mrs. Li K. Yuen, spouse of a well-known Calgary painter, Ho Lem.
Other members included Li Tak, who served as secretary at a beauty salon, and Edward Ma – a medical student at the University of Alberta, among others. The club held an annual fundraiser to finance selected causes.
During the Second World War, club members knitted and donated afghans and other essential items through “Bundles for Britain,” along with supporting military relief efforts for both China and Canada. They spent their time sewing, knitting, and collecting funds for the military’s needs.
Thus, the Chinese Women’s Club members undertook countless tasks to help the war effort.