Tribute held for former McGehee mayor Rosalie Santine Gould

MCGEHEE, Ark. – A tribute was held Friday for the former mayor of McGehee, Rosalie Santine Gould, not to honor her time in office – but for her dedication in recognizing the Japanese American history here in Arkansas.

Gould fought to have a national historic landmark title placed on a small, abandoned cemetery in 1992. Her efforts shined a light on the Japanese American community who were imprisoned in the Natural State during World War II.

“If you want to follow the legacy of Rosaline Santine Gould, embrace democracy but also embrace history teaching. We need a hundred more of Rosaline fast,” David Stricklin, former director of the Butler Center, said.

Gould became mayor of the town in 1983 and served until 1995.

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