Canadian
Senator
The first person of Chinese
descent to sit in the Canadian Senate, the Hon. Vivienne Poy, born, Hong
Kong, 1941, came to Canada as a university student, 1959, graduating in
History from both McGill University and University of Toronto, before entering
the business world as a fashion designer. Member of the Canadian Senate,
since 1998, Vivienne Poy, author of two books, is active in the Chinese
community as Honorary Patron, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto,
is advisor to the Canadian Multicultural Council on contemporary issues
concerning Asian countries, and is an Advisory Board member, Canada-Hong
Kong Resource Centre for Asia Pacific Studies, University of Toronto –
York University. Formerly Trustee, Art Gallery of Ontario and the National
Gallery of Canada, and former Director, Canadian Stage Company, the Hon.
Vivienne Poy has served as a fundraiser for the Kidney Foundation and,
Member, Famous People Players (U.S. Board). In 1997, the sister-in-law
of current Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson, Vivienne Poy
received the Arbour Award for outstanding volunteer service to the University
of Toronto. [Photo, courtesy the Hon. Vivienne Poy]