Victoria Chung : A Doctor of Change

Named for the city in which she was born, Victoria, British Columbia, Victoria Chung was the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Despite racist laws that initially prevented her from attending public school, and sexist attitudes that prevented many women from pursuing careers in the sciences, Victoria had an ambitious dream—to become a doctor and help heal people around the world. Her unrelenting pursuit of education led her to become the first Asian-Canadian to study medicine at her university, where she faced further racism and sexism from some students and professors, and eventually became the first woman resident in her hospital. But Victoria was not done breaking down barriers. She travelled to China, the birthplace of her parents, and worked to give women and children the same medical care as men. She became the head doctor of her hospital and introduced modern technologies and practices to ensure that her patients received the best care possible. Today, more than half a century after her death, her accomplishments, ambition, and compassion are remembered in both Canada and China.