Rosalyn Koo facts for kids

Rosalyn Chin-Ming Koo (born Chen; November 11, 1926 – January 30, 2021) was a Chinese-American woman known for her kindness and generosity. She was a successful business leader and later dedicated her life to helping others.

For 30 years, Rosalyn Koo was a top executive at MBT Associates, a company that designed buildings. This company was even named one of the fastest-growing businesses in America. After she retired, Rosalyn focused on philanthropy, which means giving money and time to help people. She also became a social activist, working to make positive changes in society.

Rosalyn Koo helped many groups. She supported organizations like Self-Help for the Elderly, which assists older people in California. She also helped girls in China get an education through groups like The 1990 Institute. Rosalyn received many awards for her work and was even added to the Women's Hall of Fame in 2007.

Biography

Early Life and Education

Rosalyn Chin-Ming Chen was born in 1926 in Shanghai, China. She attended McTyeire School, a well-known girls' school there.

In 1947, Rosalyn moved to the United States to continue her studies. She first went to Mills College. Later, she transferred to the University of California, Berkeley. In 1953, she earned a degree in economics, which is the study of how money and resources are used. By 1957, Rosalyn was married and had become a permanent resident of the U.S.

Career in Architecture

In 1958, Rosalyn Koo joined MBT Associates, an architectural firm in the San Francisco Bay area. This company had started in 1954. Rosalyn became the Chief Financial Officer, meaning she managed all the money for the company. She was the only main leader of the firm who was not an architect.

MBT Associates specialized in designing buildings for businesses and universities. They created research labs and other important projects. In 1983, Inc. Magazine recognized MBT as one of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the U.S. This was impressive because many other companies in their field were struggling.

MBT Associates worked with many famous clients. These included companies like Allergan, Genentech, and Merck. They also designed buildings for universities such as Stanford University and the University of California campuses. Some of their award-winning projects included the Beckman Center at Stanford and the Chevron Research Company lab. After 30 successful years, Rosalyn Koo retired from MBT in 1988.

Helping Girls in China

In 1978, Rosalyn Koo visited China for the first time since she left. She met with a former leader from her old school, which was then called Shanghai Public High School No. 3. Rosalyn promised to find investors from other countries if the school could become an all-girls school again. By 1984, the school was indeed for girls only. An alumni group from overseas helped fund new science labs.

Rosalyn soon joined efforts with The 1990 Institute, an organization that helps with funding programs. She promised to help 1,000 girls finish primary school in China.

In 2000, Rosalyn toured western China, visiting provinces like Gansu and Shaanxi. When she returned, she and her partners started the "Dragon Fund." This fund aimed to help educate girls in western China. Their first projects included a training center for women and children in Gansu. They also started the "Spring Bud" scholarship program. This program provided money for elementary school for girls in Shaanxi Province. Rosalyn visited China every year to check on the girls' progress. She soon expanded the scholarships to cover secondary schooling as well.

After a big earthquake hit Sichuan Province in 2008, Rosalyn extended her help to girls there. Their school buildings were destroyed. Rosalyn worked with Jennifer Devlin from EHDD, another architectural firm. Together, they built a new school that was safe from earthquakes. They also helped create new building and earthquake safety rules for China. By 2012, Rosalyn had helped over 1,000 girls in Shaanxi province. A remarkable 168 of these girls went on to study at universities.

Supporting Seniors

In 1986, Rosalyn Koo joined the board of "Self Help for the Elderly." This program is based in San Francisco. She helped the organization plan and find money to offer more services. The group mainly helps older people of Asian heritage. They provide language classes, meals, and other services. Their goal is to help seniors live independently and stay healthy.

Awards and Legacy

In 2007, Rosalyn Koo was honored for her work. She was inducted into the Women's Hall of Fame. This recognized her efforts to promote sustainable living and help communities. By 2015, Self Help for the Elderly had 12 activity centers, and Rosalyn was the chair of the organization. She worked hard to get a new center built for 1,000 senior citizens in San Mateo.

Rosalyn Koo passed away on January 30, 2021, in San Mateo, California. She died from kidney failure. Her legacy of helping others, especially girls and seniors, continues to inspire many.

See also

In Spanish: Rosalyn C. Koo para niños