Rose Ochi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rose Ochi
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Ochi in 1986
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| Born |
Takayo Matsui Ochi
December 15, 1938 |
| Died | December 13, 2020 (aged 81) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Education | Theodore Roosevelt High School |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles (BA) California State University, Los Angeles (EdM) Loyola Law School (LLB) University of Southern California (JD) |
| Years active | 1972–2020 |
| Spouse(s) |
Thomas H. Ochi
(m. 1963) |
Rose Ochi (born Takayo Matsui, December 15, 1938 – December 13, 2020) was an amazing Japanese-American lawyer and civil rights champion. She worked hard to make Manzanar a special National Historic Site. This site remembers a time when Japanese Americans were held in camps during World War II.
Rose Ochi also made history in government. She was the first Asian American woman to be appointed to a high-level position by President Bill Clinton. She also became the first Asian American to join the Los Angeles Police Commission. This group helps guide the police department in Los Angeles.
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Rose Ochi's Early Life
Rose Ochi was born Takayo Matsui on December 15, 1938. Her birthplace was East Los Angeles, California. Her parents, Yoshiaki Roy and Mutsuko "Grace" Matsukawa Matsui, came from Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Rose was the third of four children in her family. She was born at the Japanese Hospital in East Los Angeles.
When Rose was just three years old, her family's life changed. The U.S. entered World War II, and Executive Order 9066 was signed. This order forced many Japanese Americans into special camps. Rose's family was first sent to the Santa Anita Detention Center. After six months, they moved to the Rohwer War Relocation Center. It was there that she was given her English name, "Rose."
Returning Home After the War
After World War II ended, Rose's parents faced a new challenge. They were on a business visa and were almost deported from the U.S. While they fought this in San Francisco, Rose and her siblings stayed in Elko, Nevada. During this time, Rose experienced racism from local people. Luckily, her parents got help from the ACLU. They won their case, and the family returned to East Los Angeles.
School and College Years
Rose was a very bright student. She skipped two grades at Roosevelt High School. She also joined UCLA's UniCamp, which helped her get into college there.
In 1959, Rose entered the Nisei Week Queen pageant. Her mother wanted to visit relatives in Japan but didn't have enough money. The grand prize for the pageant was a trip to Japan. That same year, Rose graduated from UCLA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education. She taught at University High School and in the Montebello Unified School District. Later, she returned to East Los Angeles to teach at Stevenson Junior High School.
Rose was even cast in the musical film Flower Drum Song. However, she decided not to be in the movie. She pulled out after seeing the costume she would have to wear. In 1963, she married Thomas Ochi.
Rose Ochi's Law Career
Rose Ochi decided to become a lawyer after seeing the East L.A. walkouts in the 1960s. These protests showed her the need for justice. She graduated from Loyola Law School in 1972. She was accepted into the State Bar of California in December of that year.
Rose turned down a job as a prosecutor. Instead, she went to the USC. There, she earned a Juris Doctor degree. She became a Reginald Heber Smith Fellow for the Western Center on Law and Poverty. During this time, she worked on an important education reform case called Serrano v. Priest.
Fighting for Manzanar
One of Rose Ochi's most famous achievements was her fight for Manzanar. This was one of the camps where Japanese Americans were held during World War II. Rose worked tirelessly to make Manzanar a National Historic Site. This helped preserve its history and teach future generations about this difficult time.
Public Service and Government Roles
Rose Ochi joined the government team of Mayor Tom Bradley. Later, she worked for Mayor Richard Riordan. She served as the Director for Criminal Justice Planning. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter chose her to be on his Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy. Later, in 1997, she worked for President Bill Clinton on the National Drug Control Policy.
After returning to Los Angeles in 2001, she continued her public service. Mayor James Hahn appointed her to the Police Commission. A year later, she became the executive director of the California Forensic Science Institute. This institute is at California State University, Los Angeles.
Rose Ochi's Legacy
Rose Ochi passed away on December 13, 2020, in Los Angeles. She had been dealing with health problems. Many people shared tributes to her. Representative Judy Chu called her an inspiration. State Assembly member Chris Holden said she was a "national treasure." Assembly member Ed Chau shared his sadness at losing an "incredible community and civil rights leader." Developer Rick Caruso, who worked with Rose on the Police Commission, called her a "true leader when it comes to police reform."
In 2021, the Los Angeles City Council voted to honor Rose Ochi. They decided to name an intersection in Downtown Los Angeles after her. This intersection is at 1st and San Pedro. A sign now displays the new name: "Rose Ochi Square." That same year, a special plaque honoring Rose Ochi was placed at the LAPD Police Academy.
