Chiye Tomihiro

Chiye Tomihiro (December 20, 1924 – October 21, 2012) was a Japanese American activist who played a critical role in the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

Early life Tomihiro was born on December 20, 1924, in Portland, Oregon. Her father was involved in real estate. He held a law degree from the University of Oregon Law School, but could not practice because he did not have citizenship.

Incarceration and recovery After the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, compelling the forced evacuation and incarceration of Japanese-Americans from the West Coast in concentration camps. The night, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Tomihiro's father while she, her siblings, and her mother were at a church event.

During their incarceration, her father's friend took care of the hotel, but eventually sold the building for "practically nothing". She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in math with a minor in business. Her organizing efforts and testimony played a major role in the passing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which granted reparations to the incarcerated Japanese Americans.

She was also a supporter of the American Friends Service Committee.

Death She died on October 21, 2012.