“How can we break the Bamboo Ceiling and build a more inclusive Canada?”

In honour of Asian Heritage Month this May, we are thrilled to welcome Teresa Woo-Pawn for this inspiring episode of Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham. As a trailblazer in human rights advocacy, Teresa made history by becoming the first Asian Canadian woman elected to the Alberta legislature.

Throughout her career, Teresa collaborated with diverse communities across Canada to promote inclusivity and equitable representation of Asians in all spheres of society. In this episode, she shares how her family's immigration story and cultural background have informed her activism and public service. We delve into the importance of telling a fuller, more inclusive history of Canada, the persistence of Yellow Peril stereotypes, and the challenges of the Bamboo Ceiling in leadership.

In addition, Teresa reflects on the evolution of Asian Canadian networks, sharing practical advice for developing cultural competency and resources for deeper learning. This episode is packed with actionable insights to help build a more equitable future for Asian Canadians and guidance for allies looking to offer meaningful support.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Canada’s richly diverse and multicultural Asian population.
• Teresa’s election as the first Asian Canadian woman in the Alberta legislature.
• The story of her family’s immigration, which began with her two grandfathers.
• How her cultural background has shaped the way in which she works and lives.
• Asian Heritage Month and its role in telling the full history of Canada. 
• Underreporting of the statistics and experiences of Yellow Peril bias and stereotypes. 
• Unpacking solutions to the problem of the Bamboo Ceiling in leadership.
• How the Asian Canadian network has evolved and formalized over time. 
• Developing cultural competency as Asian Canadians and allies to the community.
• Digital resources for those who wish to dive deeper into this topic. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Teresa Woo-Paw LinkedIn
• Asian Heritage Foundation Calgary
• Act 2 End Racism
• Action Chinese Canadians Together (ACCT) Foundation
• Canadian Race Relations Foundation
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion