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Rose Pak: Journalist to Activist

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A color photograph of a middle-aged Rose Pak in the middle of the street in Chinatown, SF. Her right fist is raised, and in her left hand she holds a large piece of paper with the words, "SAVE THE EMBARCADERO" written in black across the top. The photograph has a slight red wash over it, and the Rose Pak quote, "If you're about the community, then I'm here for you" is also laid over it.

If you’re about the community, then I’m here for you.

– Rose Pak

The Special Collections & University Archives department is excited to announce the opening of our latest exhibition: an exploration of the life and legacy of Rose Pak, one of our most distinguished alumni. Pak was a graduate of the San Francisco College for Women, which was integrated with USF in 1978. She went on to become a powerful activist and community organizer; her work focused on San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood, but spread far beyond. This exhibit, available to view in both physical and virtual formats, aims to honor her remarkable contributions and the indelible mark she left on our city across her lifetime of service.

Known for her unwavering dedication to community betterment, Pak was instrumental in the development of significant projects not just in Chinatown, but across the whole of San Francisco. These include, but are certainly not limited to, the preservation and repair of SF’s Chinese Hospital, increased access to affordable housing, and the expansion of the Central Subway project (with its Chinatown station now named after her). Her leadership and advocacy efforts greatly influenced city policies and infrastructure, ensuring that the needs of marginalized communities were acknowledged and accounted for.

A color photograph of a middle-aged Pak standing on the street in Chinatown, looking out into the distance facing the right.
A color photograph of a middle-aged Pak standing on the street in Chinatown, looking out into the distance facing the right.
A color photograph of a middle-aged Pak standing on the street in Chinatown, looking out into the distance facing the right.
A black and white photograph of a young Pak wearing a hard hat, standing between two middle-aged men also wearing hard hats. They appear to be standing on a construction site outside in the city. All are looking towards the camera and smiling.
A black and white photograph of a young Pak wearing a hard hat, standing between two middle-aged men also wearing hard hats. They appear to be standing on a construction site outside in the city. All are looking towards the camera and smiling.
A black and white photograph of a young Pak wearing a hard hat, standing between two middle-aged men also wearing hard hats. They appear to be standing on a construction site outside in the city. All are looking towards the camera and smiling.
A color photograph of an older Pak giving a speech into a microphone outside, standing next to Mayor Ed Lee who is behind a podium laughing.
A color photograph of an older Pak giving a speech into a microphone outside, standing next to Mayor Ed Lee who is behind a podium laughing.
A color photograph of an older Pak giving a speech into a microphone outside, standing next to Mayor Ed Lee who is behind a podium laughing.

Housed in the display case outside of Archives, our physical exhibit offers an up-close opportunity to engage with Pak’s life through a carefully curated selection of photographs, documents, and other artifacts, many of which are from her time at the San Francisco College for Women. These include yearbook photos, student newspapers, commencement programs, and more!

Our exhibit’s virtual counterpart features digitized versions of the content, along with additional photographs, interviews, and expanded text that dives deeper into the details of Pak’s life and legacy. View our virtual exhibit here! 

A black and white photograph of Pak as a child, smiling and looking into the camera while holding on to the handles of a motorbike.
A black and white photograph of Pak as a child, smiling and looking into the camera while holding on to the handles of a motorbike.
A black and white photograph of Pak as a child, smiling and looking into the camera while holding on to the handles of a motorbike.
A color photograph of Pak in her 20s, lying on a patch of grass in front of a bush of purple flowers. She is looking into the camera and smiling softly.
A color photograph of Pak in her 20s, lying on a patch of grass in front of a bush of purple flowers. She is looking into the camera and smiling softly.
A color photograph of Pak in her 20s, lying on a patch of grass in front of a bush of purple flowers. She is looking into the camera and smiling softly.
A black and white photograph of Pak in her 20s, standing outside in front of a building and a bush, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a graduation cap and gown and holds a diploma case from the San Francisco College for Women.
A black and white photograph of Pak in her 20s, standing outside in front of a building and a bush, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a graduation cap and gown and holds a diploma case from the San Francisco College for Women.
A black and white photograph of Pak in her 20s, standing outside in front of a building and a bush, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a graduation cap and gown and holds a diploma case from the San Francisco College for Women.

This Women’s History Month, and every month, we invite everyone to learn about Rose Pak, a monumental figure who transcended gender and race barriers and whose contributions continue to impact and improve our city.

A special thank you to the Rose Pak Community Fund for generously allowing us to use their images in this exhibit.

A black and white photograph of an older Pak, looking directly into the camera and smiling playfully. She has both hands held up to the sides of her face, palms towards the camera, with a cigarette in her right hand.

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