Announcing the Icon Award
YWCA Metro Vancouver is thrilled to announce Carol Lee as the recipient of the 2022 Women of Distinction Icon Award.
Carol’s achievements in business, advocacy and philanthropy are far-reaching and have deeply impacted people and businesses within and beyond the Chinese community. She is a highly sought-after advisor, board member and community builder. Her vision to revitalize, rebuild and restore the historic Chinatown neighbourhood has significantly and positively altered the direction of the community.
In 2011, Carol co-founded the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, an organization committed to promoting the well-being of those in need, while preserving Chinatown’s cultural heritage. She also played a leading role in establishing a 231-unit social housing project with an integrated health facility at 58 West Hastings; creating the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, the first permanent space of its kind in Canada dedicated to sharing stories of the Chinese Canadian experience; and upgrading and restoring the May Wah Hotel, a 120-room Single Room Occupancy building, which houses primarily seniors and people living on low incomes in one of the oldest buildings in Chinatown.
Carol’s previous successes include co-founding a skincare line primarily for people living with cancer and severe eczema, and as a restaurateur, with the creation of Chinatown BBQ, a traditional Cantonese BBQ restaurant.
It is perhaps no surprise that, given Carol’s focus is on celebrating and preserving the Chinatown community, her family’s roots there date back a century. Her grandfather opened a dry goods and furnishing store in 1921 and Carol attended school in Chinatown as a child. Her father, Robert Lee, was widely celebrated in business and philanthropy, and the Lee family has helped shape some of Vancouver’s most important institutions, from UBC to the YMCA.
Carol has carried on the spirit of her family’s work, but has forged her own path to uplifting and championing the community. In creating the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, she is supporting the resilience of members of the Chinese community, who have been integral in the region’s past and future.
The Icon Award recognizes a leader, role model and mentor with a demonstrated track record of excellence, who is an inspiration to others in her field and who has made a significant and sustained difference in the community. This leader encapsulates the spirit of women’s equality and her actions exemplify resilience, passion, determination, grace and generosity of spirit.
Carol’s diverse career and remarkable vision is a beacon for those around her, proving that dedication and commitment to a community can take a variety of paths. Carol has created a safe space for many to share their stories, to live safely in their communities and to know that their contributions will be recognized and preserved for generations. Carol truly serves her community with bold compassion and courage. We are honoured to celebrate her with this award.
Learn more about the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards presented by Scotiabank.
