A message from Susan Tanioka (Secretary to the AACP Board of Directors)

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of one of our founding members, Rosie Shimonishi. Rosie was with us from the start when a call went out to educators interested in informing the public about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. This effort led to the formation of the Japanese American Curriculum Project (JACP), a nonprofit educational organization.

At the time, American history books typically devoted only a single paragraph to the treatment of Japanese and Japanese Americans during the war. The organization's first initiative was to broaden public understanding by publishing Japanese American Journey. Rosie was one of the contributing writers of this book. Rosie also served as secretary of our board of directors, a role she held faithfully for over 30 years.

Although Japanese American Journey was approved by the California Department of Education, it faced some opposition from within the Japanese American community, with some groups viewing this chapter of history as too painful or shameful to revisit. Nevertheless, JACP firmly believed that the story needed to be told. Members, including Rosie, distributed the book on their own initiative, often covering their own travel expenses and staying with friends or relatives. They attended festivals and community gatherings to introduce the book and engage with the public.

As the organization’s reach grew, we were invited to Obon festivals and other Asian American events. Rosie and her husband, Warren, were always there; helping transport books, set up exhibits, sell books, pack up afterward, and return unsold inventory to storage.

Over time, we recognized a need to include the stories of other Asian American communities. As a result, JACP became Asian American Curriculum Project (AACP), and began offering works by other Asian American and Pacific Islander authors. Rosie and Warren remained dedicated supporters throughout this transition and continued to serve the organization until Rosie’s passing earlier this month (May 2025).

Though we will greatly miss Rosie, we remain profoundly grateful to both her and Warren for their decades of unwavering support and commitment to JACP and AACP.