Frances Hashimoto
Frances Hashimoto | |
---|---|
Born | Poston War Relocation Center, Yuma County, Arizona, United States | August 26, 1943
Died | November 4, 2012 Pasadena, California, United States | (aged 69)
Monuments | Frances Hashimoto Plaza, Los Angeles |
Nationality | Japanese-American |
Education | Hollenbeck Junior High School Theodore Roosevelt High School |
Alma mater | University of Southern California |
Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, social activist, schoolteacher |
Spouse | Joel Friedman |
Children | 2 |
Honours | Order of the Rising Sun (5th Class) |
Frances Kazuko Hashimoto (August 26, 1943 – November 4, 2012) was an American businesswoman, schoolteacher, and social activist. She was a key figure and proponent of
, created by Hashimoto.Biography
Early life
Hashimoto's parents, Koroku and Haru Hashimoto, owned the family-owned
Hashimoto was raised in
Mikawaya
She taught third grade for four years until her mother, who had been
Though she faced some instances of gender bias, Hashimoto quickly sought to expand the family's business from one location in Little Tokyo to a multi-store enterprise.
Frances Hashimoto is credited as creator of the popular
Community activism
Hashimoto worked for the preservation of Little Tokyo, with challenges ranging from changing
In 1982, Hashimoto became the first woman to chair the Nisei Week Japanese Festival.[1] She organized fundraising for Nisei Week and remained a strong proponent of the festival in the face of declining attendance in recent years, arguing that younger Japanese Americans needed to remain aware of their cultural heritage.[1][2] She arranged for the festival's annually crowned Nisei Week queen and princesses to attend an exchange in Nagoya, a sister city of Los Angeles.[2] Hashimoto also pushed for stronger ties between Little Tokyo and Minami Otsu Dori Shotengai, a section of Nagoya.[1]
Hashimoto served as the President of Little Tokyo Business Association (LTBA) from 1994 to 2008.[1] She actively sought to preserve the character of Little Tokyo and oversaw the redevelopment of the neighborhood, including signage, housing, and security.[2] Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry later noted that, "She worked very hard to protect the history, integrity and identity of Little Tokyo as the largest Japantown in California."[2] She was also a member of the boards of several Japanese American organizations, including the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California.[1][4] Hashimoto also served as the vice president of the Little Tokyo Community Council.[5]
Awards
In the spring of 2012, the government of Japan awarded Hashimoto the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for her contributions to Japan–United States relations.[1][2]
On September 19, 2012, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to rename the intersection of Azusa and Second Streets "Frances Hashimoto Plaza" in recognition of her cultural contributions to the city. The motion was jointly sponsored by city council members José Huizar, who represents Boyle Heights, and Jan Perry, who represents Downtown Los Angeles, including Little Tokyo.[1] The new name for the plaza was formally unveiled at a ceremony held on November 15, 2012.[5]
The Nisei Week Foundation's annually awarded community service award is now named in her honor.[6]
Death
Hashimoto died at her home in Pasadena, California, from lung cancer on Sunday, November 4, 2012, at the age of 69.[2][5] She was survived by her husband, Joel Friedman, their sons, Bryan Koji and Ryan Koroku Hashimoto-Friedman, and her sister, Sachiko June Osugi.[2][4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Endo, Ellen (2012-11-05). "Mikwaya CEO Hashimoto Passes at 69". Rafu Shimpo. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Watanabe, Teresa (2012-11-07). "Frances Hashimoto dies at 69; Little Tokyo leader, mochi ice cream creator". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^ Huffington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^ KPCC. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^ a b c Lee, Wendy (2012-11-15). "Frances Hashimoto Plaza Unveiled". Los Angeles Downtown News. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^ Reports, Rafu (2023-08-15). "Frances Hashimoto Community Service Honorees Named". Rafu Shimpo. Retrieved 2023-08-16.