Person

Brown, May

1919-2019

May Brown (née Adams) was born in Alberta in 1919 and moved with her family to Surrey, B.C., in 1927. She earned her teacher's certificate at the Provincial Normal School in 1940. She later obtained a Bachelor's degree from McGill (1947) and a Master's degree from UBC (1961), both in physical education. After teaching in several public schools, Brown joined UBC's Department of Physical Education (now the School of Kinesiology) in 1947. She remained at UBC until 1955, during which time she also coached the women's swimming and field hockey teams. In her honour, UBC Athletics instituted the May Brown Trophy in 2007 for each year's outstanding graduating female athlete. She was also involved with the YWCA and the Canadian Camping Association. In 1972 she was elected to the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and remained on the Board until 1976, serving as chair for the final two years. In 1976, May Brown was elected to the Vancouver City Council and served four terms as a councillor until her voluntary retirement in 1986. She also ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1978. In addition, Brown served on the Greater Vancouver Regional District Executive Committee and chaired the Planning Committee. She was also a director of the Pacific National Exhibition, Chairperson of the Vancouver Regional Transit Commission, and a Director of B.C. Transit. May Brown has been acknowledged for career achievements by a UBC Alumni Achievement Award, a Sport BC Award, a YWCA Woman of Distinction award, membership in the UBC and B.C. Sports Halls of Fame, and membership in the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada.

Taught at the Department of Physical Education.