Sandy Mori Thanked for Decades of Community Service
By J.K. Yamamoto
On the occasion of her retirement as development director of Kimochi Inc., Sandy Ouye Mori’s family, friends and colleagues held a reception in her honor on March 16 at the Sundance Kabuki Kitchen in San Francisco Japantown.
Originally from Sacramento, Mori co-founded the Japantown-based senior service agency 39 years ago and has served as a board or staff member ever since. Kimochi’s accomplishments include the establishment of meals and transportation programs and the opening of Kimochi Home and Kimochi Lounge.
She was active in city government as a member of the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women under Mayor George Moscone and as executive secretary of the San Francisco Health Commission, and organized Japanese American community support of local candidates and ballot measures.
Mori has also served as president of the Japantown Task Force and is a recipient of the Woman Warrior award from Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition in the category of community advocacy and politics.
Judi Nihei, former director of the Japantown Task Force, emceed the celebration.
Kimochi Executive Director Steve Nakajo said it was a “privilege” to work with Mori and expressed gratitude to her on behalf of the board and staff. He was joined on the stage by Roy Ikeda, board president; Paul Chin, vice president elect; Mary Ishisaki, secretary; and Shoji Horikoshi, board member.
Nakajo also acknowledged Mori’s husband, Jeff, who has been equally active in the community as executive director of Japanese Community Youth Council and, currently, Asian American Recovery Services.
Ikeda thanked Mori for her “lifetime commitment to this community” and read a congratulatory letter from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who worked with Mori as mayor of San Francisco. The letter read, in part: “Your outstanding record … exemplifies how one person can make a profound difference in the lives of others … You may be retiring, but you will surely not be soon forgotten by those whose lives you have touched throughout your career.”
Harriet Ishimoto spoke on behalf of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco). “I consider Sandy my touchstone for all things community and all things coalition-building,” Ishimoto said. “She has truly been a friend, a mentor, counsel, and I can count on you for things that I need to think through with a clear mind.”
The message from Pelosi, who has repres ented San Francisco since 1987 and is familiar with the Japantown community, read, “Please accept my thanks for your extraordinary contributions and for your wonderful support and friendship.”
San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting recalled that when he first thought of getting involved in city politics, Mori was one of the first people he consulted. Initially, he said, “I just knew her as a mover and shaker. I didn’t even know she worked for Kimochi.”
“She leads by example,” he continued. “39 years of service, it’s amazing. I know that this is just a closing of one chapter and opening of a second chapter. Frankly, I think you’re going to be busier than ever … doing some great things for the city.”
Emily Murase, executive director of the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women and a candidate for the San Francisco Board of Education, said, “She’s been a mentor of mine for many years. I was trying to think of an apt metaphor for what Sandy is to all of us, and what I came up with is a community godmother ... Some people have dreams and think about things, but she has a way of making things happen.” She presented Mori with a proclamation from the Commission on the Status of Women.
Beverly Ng, who represented State Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco/San Rafael), also described Mori as a mentor. “I don’t know where I would be without her guidance.”
Barbara Garcia, deputy director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, noted that this was a second retirement party for Mori, as one was held when she left the Health Commission staff. Garcia presented Mori with the Public Health Hero award.
David Ishida, regional administrator of the U.S. Administration on Aging and former Kimochi nutrition director, joked, “Half the crowd is delighted that Sandy is retiring. They’re all happy for her. The other half of the crowd is a little nervous because they know she’s got a little bit of free time on her hands that used to be occupied by Kimochi activities. The other half of you are a little skittish. She does still have your phone numbers. There are other projects out there.”
He told Mori, “Now you can just advocate to your heart’s content, and we look forward to that.”
Esther Leong of Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach called Mori “a role model not just for J-Town but for all of the community. I have to say Sandy is a champion for a lot of API women … I’ve learned very much from her.”
Francis Tsang of the Mayor’s Office for Neighborhood Services represented Mayor Gavin Newsom, presenting a proclamation of March 16, 2010 as “Sandy Mori Day in San Francisco.”
Other special guests included long-time activists Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani from Glide Memorial Church.
Mori thanked everyone for attending and commented, “The word ‘retirement’ really is in the eyes of the retiree. So to me this is just another phase … I’m still going to be around.”
She added, “To those of you that I’ve worked with all these years … I appreciate your support and we will look forward to a lot of things to do together again … It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”
