Rose Pak died today at the age of 68 after battling kidney failure for at least four years, reports SF Gate.
Born in Hunan, China, Pak moved to San Francisco in 1967.
The 67-year-old held considerable political clout in an era dominated by men.
She was passionate in her quest to build a power base and increase the political involvement of Asian Americans.
Pak was extremely outspoken and took on the powerful both inside and outside of the Asian American community.
Among those she battled was San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, the first Asian American ever elected mayor of San Francisco. The two clashed over Lee’s appointment of Judith Christensen over Pak’s choice, Cindy Wu, to replaceDavid Chiu who had been elected to an Assembly seat. Christensen would lose her seat to the Pak-backed Aaron Peskin in 2015.
It was Pak who originally pushed the reluctant Lee to run to replace Gavin Newsom in 2011.
“You can’t be so afraid of offending anyone that you don’t do anything,” Pak was quoted by The Chronicle as saying in 2010. “If people take positions I don’t agree with, am I just going to roll over and pretend to be dead? No, I’m going to fight.”
In once sense, Pak announced her own death with someone posting this on Pak’s Twitter account.
Take a bow, the night is over.
This masquerade is getting older.
Light are low, the curtains down.
There’s no one here. #RIP— Rose Pak (@rosepak_ccc) September 18, 2016
Greetings from the Celestial Heavens. The Jade Emperor says hello. I wish you all well and know that I will always watch over you. #RIP
— Rose Pak (@rosepak_ccc) September 18, 2016
Reaction to her death has been swift.
#RIP @rosepak_ccc, thank you for showing us how to fight for things you believe and your dedication to our Chinatown community.
— 鍾紹琪 (Cecilia Chung) (@cecilia_c_chung) September 18, 2016
Our city is diminished w the passing of Chinese community leader Rose Pak. Rose fought for those who needed help most. Rest in power.
— Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) September 18, 2016
Mourners gather at home of Rose Pak. SF icon and civic leader died this morning. pic.twitter.com/Ne9auMJ4UI
— Lilian Kim (@liliankim7) September 18, 2016
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