Yuri Kochiyama’s work for reparations to Japanese-American WWII internees, Puerto Rican independence and alongside Malcolm X earned her the respect of activists across the globe and made her one of the most prominent Asian-American activists we’ve ever had up until her death in 2014. To honor Kochiyama’s legacy and 95th birthday, Google highlighted her with a doodle in her likeness on their homepage. 

“Kochiyama left a legacy of advocacy: for peace, U.S. political prisoners, nuclear disarmament, and reparations for Japanese Americans interned during the war,” Google wrote, according to NBC. “She was known for her tireless intensity and compassion, and remained committed to speaking out, consciousness-raising, and taking action until her death in 2014.”

Kochiyama’s civil rights work brought her to the forefront of issues spanning a variety of groups. She was held in an internment camp during WWII, along with her husband, and then moved to a group of New York City projects.

She also had a brief, yet impactful, friendship with Malcolm X, who’s own birthday was just celebrated, and was even at his side just after he was shot.

Photo Credit: Twitter and Google