Guyo Tajiri (October 17, 1915 – September 7, 2007) was a Japanese American journalist. She was the first Asian-American woman accepted to the University of Missouri School of Journalism.[1][2] She also worked to transform the Pacific Citizen, a major Japanese American publication, as an editor.[1]
Early life and education
Tajiri was born on October 17, 1915, and her birth name was Tsuguyo Marion Okagaki.[1][2] She had eight siblings.[1] Her father was Kichitaro Okagaki and he reported for the Japanese newspaper Shin Sekai, which translates to New World Sun.[1] During her teenage years, she worked as an unpaid assistant for the English-language section of her father's newspaper – Shin Sekai.[1]
In 1932, she became the first Asian woman to be accepted and enrolled at the University of Missouri's prestigious School of Journalism.[1][2] However, she would have to leave the University of Missouri after one semester.[1] She went on to attend San Jose State University and later the University of California, Berkeley.[1][2]
In 1952, Tajiri and her husband were honored by the JACL's Testimonial Banquet for their work at the Pacific Citizen.[5] In September 1971, Tajiri was again honored at the 7th annual Tajiri Awards Banquet as the special guest of honor.[6]
