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Florence Wong

expanding the accessibility of health & well-being

YWCA Toronto Woman of Distinction 2006, health & well-being

Few women have achieved what Florence Wong has for older women’s health and well-being, or for Chinese-speaking women in Canada.  Approaching their need for belonging, dignity and culturally appropriate care with a deep humanity that brooks no compromise, Mrs. Wong has had an unprecedented impact on the status of older women’s daily lives.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, Mrs. Wong has dedicated the last 11 years to ensuring access to culturally and linguistically accessible care for elderly Chinese-speaking and South Asian women, simultaneously setting the gold standard for all geriatric care in the Province.  In her role as service–provider and employer, Mrs. Wong raises the status of women through innovation, training, and fair employment. Florence Wong is the 2006 Woman of Distinction for Health & Well-being. 

Despite her senior executive experiences in Hong Kong, Mrs. Wong started as a direct service provider in social services when she arrived in Toronto in 1987.  In spite of the barriers faced by internationally trained professionals without Canadian experience, Mrs. Wong was soon promoted to the management level at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) within three years.

During her years at CNIB, Mrs. Wong championed the cause of minorities, winning a place as an expert and advisor to local and provincial multiculturalism and anti-racism bodies. 

With dedication, Mrs. Wong has forged ahead with the realization of her vision of the Yee Hong Centre.  Confronting discriminatory perceptions of a centre dedicated to the care of Asian elderly, Mrs. Wong was determined to achieve her dream of a centre with mainstream credibility – providing culturally appropriate care without succumbing to marginalization and dismissal.  She challenges racism with courage, grace and tact.

Mrs. Wong is a trailblazer and mentor to all who work with her.  A pillar in the Chinese Canadian community, she coaches and mentors with sensitivity and patience.  She has set an example for all the women that work with her.  She makes certain that the workplace addresses women’s needs by insisting an ergonomic consultant reviews the design of all new centres to ensure that the size and physical requirements of Chinese Canadian women are accommodated.  She welcomes flexibility in hours of work to accommodate women’s unique roles as the primary caregivers in their own homes as well as in their work.  In all new centres, Mrs. Wong has included childcare space for future development so that staff and the community will have access to affordable, high quality childcare services.  Her commitment to ensuring that women have equal opportunity in the workplace is demonstrated by her actions and vision.

Mrs. Wong is a graduate of the University of Hong Kong in Psychology and Social Work (1972), and has done graduate work in Social Welfare Administration from the same university. She  holds a medal commemorating the 125th Anniversary of Canada (1992), the Administrator of the Year Award (2000), the Chinese Canadian Legend award, (2003).  She has been appointed to numerous steering committees and review boards and currently serves on the Long Term Care Mental Heath Steering Committee.

With a record of 33 years of devotion to the causes she is passionate about, Mrs. Wong continues her quest for excellence at Yee Hong Centre and her fight for equality for women and minorities alike.  She was born in Hong Kong, and currently resides in Richmond Hill.

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