The Role of Nisei Women in the Portland Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), 1931-1939
Jillian Toda
SSRD, 4/20/11
Introduction
Thesis/Argument: Nisei women of the Portland JACL laid the foundation of the organization during the 1930s, and held roles as community builders within
the JACL as well as in Portland.
Historical background
Information from primary texts
Conclusions: History’s relevance today
My investment: Personal history
Family
Community history Cultural preservation
The Opportunity: “Creating Asian America” course
WWII-centered history
2nd generation Japanese Americans—Nisei culture Varying lifestyles and experiences
Urban vs. rural
Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) culture Delving into unchartered NW territory
The role of Nisei women in the JACL:
Active participants Political and social appeal—had to balance
Agents of community building Social responsibility in building JACL network
The intersections of gender and ethnicity:
Domestic sphere Women as cooperative, nurturing, social (1931-1935)
J.A. community issues Sino-Japanese War (1937) changes politics (1936-1939)
“To reconcile the differing conclusions about Nisei women’s participation in the Northwest JACL chapters from 1931-1939, a different public memory must be remembered.”