Lee Sun Chau facts for kids

Lee Sun Chau (seated) with her classmate Yuen Hing Wong (standing) in Guangzhou, China.

Lee Sun Chau (born 1890, died 1979) was a very important person in Chinese history. She was one of the first Chinese women to become a doctor of Western medicine in China. This was a big achievement for women at that time!

Becoming a Doctor and Helping People

Lee Sun Chau went to a school called Belilios Public School. Later, in the late 1910s, she graduated from the Hackett Medical College for Women. This college was in Guangzhou, China. After she finished her studies, she worked as a doctor at the David Gregg Hospital for Women and Children in Guangzhou. This hospital is now known as the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University.

The picture you see shows Lee Sun Chau sitting down with her classmate, Yuen Hing Wong. They both studied at Hackett Medical College. After graduating, they both practiced Western medicine in China, helping many people.

Around 1920, China was going through a tough time called the Warlord Era. This was when different military leaders fought for control. Because of this, Lee Sun Chau moved from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, she worked at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. She started as an anesthesiologist, which is a doctor who gives medicine to make patients sleep during surgery. Later, she became the Matron of the Hospital, which means she was in charge of the nurses and the daily running of the hospital.

Her Family Life

Lee Sun Chau married Po Yin Chan (born 1883, died 1965) in Hong Kong on January 7, 1911. Their wedding was held at St. Stephen’s Church. Po Yin Chan was an engineer and also a revolutionary. He worked with Sun Yat-sen, who was a very important leader in the Chinese Revolution of 1911. This revolution changed China a lot. Po Yin Chan later became a Senator in Guangzhou in the 1920s.

Important Family Members

Lee Sun Chau came from a family of important people. Her grandfather on her father's side was Rev. Hok Shu Chau. He was the first Chinese minister of the Methodist Church in Southern China. He worked as a pastor in Guangzhou for many years. He was baptized by Rev. Liang Fa, who was the very first Chinese pastor in the world! Rev. Liang Fa was taught by Dr. Robert Morrison, who translated the entire Bible into Chinese. Lee Sun Chau's grandfather on her mother's side was Rev. Wei Tsing Wan, who was also a minister.

Her uncle, Man-Kai Wan (born 1869, died 1927), was her mother's younger brother. He was also one of the first Chinese doctors of Western medicine in Hong Kong. He was a good friend and classmate of Sun Yat-sen. They even started a medical clinic together! Man-Kai Wan also helped protect Sun Yat-sen during the dangerous times leading up to the 1911 Chinese Revolution. He was also a founder of the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, where Lee Sun Chau later worked.

Lee Sun Chau's younger brother was Wai Cheung Chau (born 1893, died 1965). He also became a doctor, graduating from the medical school of the University of Hong Kong in 1916. He practiced medicine in Hong Kong for over 40 years and was the superintendent of the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. During the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941, he was a medical officer helping people. He was even wounded by a bullet but continued his important work. He was a very respected doctor and became the President of the Hong Kong Medical Association in 1939.

Her Daughter and Granddaughter

Lee Sun Chau's second child, her daughter Rebecca Chan Chung (born 1920, died 2011), was an amazing woman. She was a nurse during World War II and served with the famous Flying Tigers and the United States Army in China. She also flew over "The Hump" (the Himalayas mountains) about 50 times, carrying supplies between India and China. For her bravery and service, she received special medals from the U.S. After the war, she became a leader in nursing education in Hong Kong. Rebecca Chan Chung wrote a book about her life, which also shares details about her mother, Lee Sun Chau.

Lee Sun Chau's granddaughter, Deborah Chung, is a famous American scientist and professor. She is known for inventing "smart concrete," which can sense things like cracks or stress. She dedicated one of her books to the memory of her grandmother, Lee Sun Chau.