Thursday April 26, 2012

The Etobicoke Historical Society
is very proud to announce
the Speaker for the April 26, 2012 Monthly Meeting
will be Arlene Chan and she will be speaking on
"The Chinese in Toronto from 1878...
from outside to inside the circle"

(Scenes from Chinatown)

Arlene Chan

Arlene Please tell us about yourself.
I was born, raised and educated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After obtaining an  undergraduate
degree in English and Psychology at the University of Toronto, I graduated with a master's degree
in library sciences. My career as a librarian started at the North York Board of Education and
ended at the Toronto Public Library where I spent 30 years in progressively advanced positions.

My writing career was launched in 1997 with "The Spirit of the Dragon: the Story of Jean Lumb,
a Proud Chinese Canadian". This children's book tells the  amazing story of my mother who was
the first Chinese Canadian to receive the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour,
for her community activism.  "The  Spirit of the Dragon" was selected as a Choice Book
by the Canadian Children's Book Centre. My second book, "The Moon Festival: a Chinese
Mid-Autumn Festival",  was shortlisted for the Silver Birch Award. "Awakening the Dragon: the Dragon  Boat Festival" was published in 2004 and as a paperback in 2007. My fourth publication was released
in 2009 as the first book on Canadian dragon boating,  entitled "Paddles Up! Dragon Boat Racing
in Canada". I am currently working on a  second book for an adult audience.  It is entitled "The Chinese in Toronto from 1878...from outside to inside the circle", it was launched in October 2011.
"I live in Toronto with her husband. During the summer, I can often be seen paddling
a dragon boat on Lake Ontario."  My website is www.arlenechan.ca