Extraordinary Women: Two Extraordinary Grandmothers

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In our next Extraordinary Women event presented by Back Lane Studios, we learn about the sacrifices, resourcefulness and accomplishments of Jean Lumb (1919-2002) and Foon Hay Lum (1908-2020).  Both women had connections to our neighbourhoods.

Filmmaker Keira Loughran, Jean Lumb’s granddaughter, sets out withHelen Lee, Foon Hay Lum’s granddaughter, to explore the lives of these two remarkable matriarchs. In the process, they uncover some family surprises. They also chart the human toll of Canada’s discriminatory immigration policies.
Keira has recorded their journey of discovery in her film Exclusion: Beyond the Silence.. Joining us for our Q&A after the film are Helen Lee and Chinese Canadian historian Arlene Chan, who is the daughter of Jean Lumb.

Born in Canada, Jean Lumb, with her husband, ran a fruit market in the Junction, later moving downtown to open Kwong Chow, a popular restaurant in Chinatown. A community activist on many fronts, she was inducted into the Order of Canada.

Foon Hay Lum, separated by Canadian immigration policy from her husband for more than 30 years, survived war, revolution and deprivation. She finally came to Canada at age 50, lived and worked in Parkdale, and, late in life, joined the campaign seeking redress for Canada’s head tax on Chinese immigrants. She died at the age of 111.

Both a school and laneway have been named for Jean Lumb. A proposal to name a laneway in Parkdale after Foon Hay Lum is in the works.

Part of the Extraordinary Women series!

Cast/Crew Info
Director: Keira Loughran | Cast: Helen Lee, Keira Loughran, Jean Lumb