Roz Becomes Bridge to the West

Philanthropist Roz Koo came to the U.S. in 1947. Her family was very westernized, as her father and uncle both had gone to Harvard, and the family lived in the international area of Shanghai. So adjusting to the U.S. culture was not as much of an issue as adjusting to being on her own. She soon found her feet, though, and became even more independent than most women of that era--choosing where to live, go to school, marry (see part one.) In 1977 she returned to China for the first time. She was so depressed by how she was treated (she was spied on the whole trip) and what she saw at her old school (a group of lifeless, unkempt people), she vowed never to return (see part two.)

But, in 1979, a new leader—Deng Xiao Ping—came to power and started a push to open ties with the west. Roz felt re-energized. She thought, “You want to open to the West? I am the West.” 

She decided she would do projects with China. The first thing she wanted to do was restore her school to the way she remembered it.  “I went to that school from first grade. I spent my youth there. Besides, I thought, ‘Who do you think you are anyway to ruin this place?‘ In 1977 (when she visited), they had 3000 students. The school was built for 500. They were all factory workers’ children, all farmers’ children. Teachers didn’t teach. Students didn’t study. They just sat there. Everything was dead. I thought, ’This cannot be.’”

Roz started by forming a McTyeire Alumnae Association. (About 50% of McTyeire Alums live overseas.) She had her office draftsman design some stationery, which she used to issue an invitation to her old principal--who had been demoted during the Cultural Revolution-- to come for a visit.

This seemingly simple gesture was not without challenges. At that time the U.S. didn’t recognize China, so there were no diplomatic relations—no consulate from which to obtain a visa. On top of that, the principal hesitated. She was old. She had heart problems. Roz persisted. “I told her to get a passport. Use our stationary as a formal invitation.”

Roz arranged several alumnae gatherings, had the woman speak on education at the Chinese Culture Center, and had the media cover all the events. When the principal returned to China she was re-installed in McTyeire as honorary principal.  She also became a strong connection for Roz.

She worked with the principal to return the school to its former glory, starting by returning it to a girls’ school. "The officials said, 'Oh, that will be a problem.' I said, ‘That’s okay. We don’t have to come. We’re happy in the United States.’ Within four years they had chased out all the boys. Then we went back and fixed it up.”

Roz never liked Xue Zheng as her principal--"She was always trying to expel me." However, she became devoted to the woman, and they managed to work together well--at least most of the time. “One time she said she needed money to buy a van. I asked what for. She said, ‘To come to the airport to pick you up.’ I said, ‘No, I don’t need that. ‘ Another time she said, ‘How about a science building?’ I said, ‘No. Your local government should build a building. If you build a building, I will raise the money to equip it.” Another time she told Roz that they had lost all forty pianos during the Cultural Revolution. Could Roz help her get some pianos? Roz agreed.

“We had our first alumnae reunion in 1986 in China. The baby grand came on stage. She wouldn’t let anyone touch it. It had a velvet cover. I said, ‘No, no, no. You have to let people play.’

She and I together, we restored the school.” Roz smiled. “I always told her, ‘It’s a good thing you didn’t expel me.’” 

(...to be continued. Next: Roz Builds Hope)