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K. Patrick and Lily A. Okura Collection at UCLA

The lives of Patrick and Lily Okura epitomize Japanese American civil rights leadership in the face of adversity and discrimination. Their life histories give testament to service and dedication for social justice, especially for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

K. Patrick Okura (1911-2005) was born in Los Angeles, California, the eldest son of Japanese immigrants. He attended UCLA, obtained a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (1933), and became the first Asian American to graduate with a Master's degree in Psychology (1935) at UCLA. He was also the first Japanese American to play on their varsity baseball team. Later he received an honorary Doctorate from the Phillips Graduate Institute (2001). After UCLA, Okura worked in various positions for Los Angeles. From 1939-1942, he worked as Personnel Technician to the Los Angeles City Civil Service, serving as the highest-ranking Japanese American in the city and the first Japanese American to be hired by the city for an administrative position.

K. PATRICK AND LILY A. OKURA COLLECTION AT UCLA: REGISTRY

The UCLA Asian American Studies Center wishes to express appreciation to the late K. Patrick and Lily A. Okura and their families for this donation of rare papers, records, and primary documents of significant research and historic value. Gratitude is also extended to Professor Emeritus Don T. Nakanishi whose research vision for Asian American Studies secured the gifting of Pat and Lily Okura's records to UCLA.

The K. Patrick and Lily A. Okura Collection Registry is made possible through the support and generosity of the Okura Mental Health Leadership Foundation.

For an overview of the Okura Collection Registry, please click here.

No part of this registry may be reproduced, modified, or transmitted, in any form, without the written permission of the publisher. Registry is strictly for preview reference purposes only and is subject to modification pending approval for final cataloging and repository transfer at which time official Finding Aid will replace Registry.

Public access is pending completion of final cataloging and repository transfer to UCLA Library Special Collections, A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575.

K. Patrick & Lily A. Okura Research Grants on Asian Pacific American Mental Health

Thanks to the generosity of the K. Patrick & Lily A. Okura Research Grants on Asian Pacific American Mental Health, UCLA faculty and graduate students from multidisciplinary areas across campus have benefited in pursuing their research focus on Asian Pacific Americans and mental health.