05/28/2026
Mary Laura Wong (Mah) is an inspiring example of the strength and determination of Asian Canadian women who served during the Second World War.
Born in British Columbia, she dreamed of joining the Royal Canadian Air Force, but when opportunities for women were limited, she persevered and enlisted in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) instead.
Despite initially being told she looked too young to serve, Mary pushed forward, completed her training in Ontario, and went on to play an important role supporting Canada’s war effort. She later worked as a teletype operator in Vancouver, contributing to vital communications operations.
As an Asian Canadian woman, Mary’s service came at a time when Chinese Canadians faced significant barriers of racism, cultural discrimination, and recognition and were not yet recognized as full citizens. Chinese Veterans and their families often faced unequal access to benefits, housing, employment, and social supports after the war.
Although it took a while for Mary, she became one of the first Chinese Canadians to receive Canadian citizenship in 1947, an important milestone in our country’s history.
Mary Laura Wong’s story is one of resilience, service, and breaking barriers. We honour her legacy and the lasting contributions of Asian Canadians in uniform.
Listen to Mary Laura Wong’s story: https://ow.ly/q4Ex50Z56ve
