Visit the official website of the ROMC Resource Library

Anna Oakes
1941- 2010

The Richard Oakes Multicultural Center at SFSU pays tribute to the life and legacy of Mrs. Anna (Annie) Oakes, wife of Richard Oakes, who took flight to the Spirit World on August 1, 2010, after a brief battle with cancer.

Mrs. Oakes supported her husband, family and community members in the 1969-1971 Occupation of Alcatraz Island.  Oakes’ mission was to address the “…dual sense of justice in the U.S. ” (Oakes, 1969) and regain land rights for American Indians.

Although she lived a very private life, during the past few years she participated in several events honoring the life and legacy of her late husband.  In November 2009, Mrs. Oakes attended the unveiling of the Native American mural, We Are Still Here, on the Cesar Chavez Student Center building, at San Francisco State University.  She was also honored to receive a Proclamation from San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaiming November 20, 2009 as Richard Oakes Day in San Francisco.   The proclamation reads:  "Whereas, on November 20, 1969, Richard Oakes, a Mohawk American Indian activist and student at San Francisco State University, along with the Indians of All Tribes (IAT) led the historic Occupation of Alcatraz Island until June 11, 1971, that created greater visibility to issues of social justice on behalf of Indigenous People."

Anna Oakes was an exemplary community member who will always be remembered for her strong advocacy of Native American rights and her support of her husband, Richard Oakes, the Mohawk Warrior.

---

The Richard Oakes Multicultural Center, adjacent meeting room, and resource library are located on the Terrace Level of the CCSC in rooms, T-144, T-143, and T-147, respectively.
See a map here.

Francine Shakir
Program Development Officer
(415) 405-0700
romc@sfsustudentcenter.com

---