The cover of a poetry book created by Tecumseh students in honour of Vivian Jung, CBC

Vivian Jung, born in Merritt, BC, on June 7, 1924 (died March 19, 2014), was a pioneering educator whose stand against racial discrimination at the Crystal Pool became a significant contribution to civil rights. She made history in 1950 as the first Chinese Canadian teacher hired by the Vancouver School Board, becoming a beloved fixture at Tecumseh Elementary School. A pivotal moment in her life, and for civil rights in Vancouver, occurred in 1945. While training to be a teacher, Jung was required to obtain a swimming certificate but was denied entry to Crystal Pool, the city's only public swimming pool, due to its colour bar. Supported by her coach and peers, her stand against this injustice sparked further protests, leading to the pool's desegregation later that year. Her courageous action positioned her as a leader in dismantling racial discrimination. Her legacy is a reminder about the power of standing up against injustice, and the importance of continuing to work toward a more inclusive society – a challenge still before us today in many ways.