(From left) Sue Kawasaki, Genevieve Hatsumi Uyeda Lew, Michele Nagata, Trudy Nodohara, and Barbara Kato Yanase Shirota (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
Kawasaki, Lew, Nagata, Nodohara and Shirota
are spotlighted as JWSSC marks 120 years.
By P.C. Staff
Having marked its 120th anniversary on March 27, the Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California, along with event partner Downtown Los Angeles JACL, recently celebrated five high-achieving women for their individual accomplishments and years of community service.
Sue Yanaga Kawasaki, Genevieve Hatsumi Uyeda Lew, Michele (Misaki) Nagata, Trudy Nodohara and Barbara Kato Yanase Shirota received from the two organizations their acrylic clock trophies with personalized nameplates, as well as certificates of recognition from California state Sen. Bob Archuleta (32nd Senate District) and California Assembly members Miguel Santiago (54th Assembly District) and Blanca Rubio (48th Assembly District) on May 5 at the Quiet Cannon Conference and Event Center in Montebello, Calif.
Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California President Yuriko Shikai (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
Downtown Los Angeles JACL Chapter President George Kita served as the master of ceremonies, and he was assisted in presenting the awards by JWSSC President Yuriko Shikai, who also addressed the audience, noting how the 2024 honorees, like those of years past, have diverse backgrounds as educators, presidents of their own companies, interpreters for celebrities, producers of entertainment and leaders of community organizations or are active with social, sports and cultural organizations, participate in various exchange programs with Japan and “raise funds for disaster relief programs and other community fundraisers and otherwise volunteer countless hours of their time for many worthy causes.”
Rev. Ki Choi, Centenary United Methodist Church (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
Following the invocation by Centenary United Methodist Church’s Rev. Ki Choi and lunch, Kita acknowledged the presence in the audience of former JACL National President Ken Inouye and past San Fernando Valley JACL Chapter President and JACL Pacific Southwest District board member Nancy Takayama, herself a 2015 Women of the Year honoree.
Each honoree was introduced by a friend, colleague or relative, who said a few words about that respective individual before presenting the trophy.
Lillian Nishihara presented to Sue Yanaga Kawasaki. Remembering back to their days at the University of California, Los Angeles, and speaking on behalf of others who have known Kawasaki, Nishihara used the Japanese word onee-san (older sister) to describe her, calling Kawasaki everyone’s “big sis” who gave “guidance and direction to our entire lives.”
Allen Lew and Lindsay Lew were the presenters for their grandmother, Genevieve Hatsumi Uyeda Lew. Allen Lew recalled how she spent much time engaged in the activities of the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center and how she worked “tirelessly behind the scenes keeping track of events and finances.” Lindsay Lew said her grandmother was “the heart and soul of our family.”
Michele Nagata’s best friend, Cynthia Nishinaka, touted Nagata’s years of church activities, leadership in the charitable organization Disneyland Alumni Club as a member of its board of directors and club secretary and her 27-year career as a hotel industry professional who, despite such a full schedule, “will make time always for her friends.”
Trudy Nodohara’s presenter was Cass Cara, who said, “I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Trudy . . . she continually led with honesty, integrity and courage.” Cara praised Nodohara’s “intuition and uncanny ability to see not only the big picture but also the players and how they operated. Her ability to negotiate and succeed is truly miraculous.”
Barbara Kato Yanase Shirota’s granddaughter, Alyssa Arnheim, served as her presenter. “I have never met anybody with a more incredible memory for people, for places, for everything,” said Arnheim. “She remembers the names of the students that she had in her kindergarten classroom 40 years ago. . . . I think that she is absolutely incredible.” Arnheim also noted that Shirota was the first woman president of the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center.
(From left) Downtown Los Angeles JACL Chapter members Kitty Sankey, Nancy Nix, Amy Tambara and Chapter President George Kita; JACL Pacific Southwest District board member and immediate past governor Nancy Takayama; and Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California President Yuriko Shikai (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
Serving on the luncheon committee were Joyce Chinn, Kay Inose, Toshie Kawaguchi, Rodney Nakada, Miyuki Namiki, Nancy Nix, Mari Robinson, Tomoko Sakurai, Kitty Sankey, Yuriko Shikai, Patricia Sookdet, Amy Tambara, Mary Tanaka and Yuko Uyesugi.
For more detailed biographical information on each honoree, visit tinyurl.com/33j2p4a2.
