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Interned Japanese-American Women’s Aspirations for Independence
Mia, Kogure
Mia, Kogure
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Abstract
This study examines letters exchanged between Japanese-American women and Clara Breed, the librarian at the San Diego Public Library from 1929 to 1945, who became a reliable correspondent, sending care packages that included books, daily necessities, and school supplies. Most of these letters were composed by women and young children, reflecting their perspectives on the challenges they faced, including isolation, uncertainty, and the struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy in the camps. This essay explores how life in these camps influenced Japanese-American women’s independence and motivated their pursuit of academic degrees and careers. Analyzing the letters in the collection, this research reveals the profound impact of internment on women's roles and aspirations. Notably, the letters convey their desires for self-determination and professional growth, as many women began to articulate their ambitions amid oppressive conditions. Conducting research on the origins of Japanese American women’s independence raises essential questions: How did life in the camps help these women achieve independence, and how did it lead them to demand academic degrees or pursue careers? Exploring these questions not only highlights the positive functions of internment camps on Japanese American women’s lives but also has the potential to connect this history to broader narratives of gender activism.
Description
These are the slides from a presentation given at 2025 Midwest Sociological Society Annual Meeting on 03/16/2025.
Date
2025-03-16
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University of Kansas
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MiaK_2025.pdf
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Keywords
History, Minority, Japanese, Oppression, Gender