Anna Maria is an Italian immigrant who came to Canada after World War 2.

In this episode, we follow her remarkable journey from a poor farming life in Treviso, Italy. At the time, most families in rural towns like hers were farmers, and life was brutally hard.

Her father was conscripted to fight for the Italian army during the war, leaving her mother to manage the household alone — often caring for soldiers returning from or heading to the front lines.

When the war ended, it was clear that opportunities in Italy were scarce. The most common future for a man was farm work; for a woman, a maid.

Through incredible determination, Anna’s parents secured passage to Canada — even convincing a doctor to overlook a failed medical exam. Though the family traveled in steerage under harsh conditions, it didn’t matter. They were on their way to a better life.

Life in Canada was still tough. They settled in the lower-income area of Vancouver’s Chinatown, where many classmates fell into drugs and hardship. But the “immigrant ambition” was real — the drive to build a better future was relentless.

In time, Anna moved to Vancouver’s West End and married a renowned competitive hairdresser, also originally from Italy.

After marrying and welcoming their first child in 1966, Anna’s story stands as a testament to the Canadian dream — from a poor farm girl in Italy to a proud, thriving new Canadian.