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Nobu Suzuki Interview I Segment 37

Family background (ddr-densho-1000-84-1) - 00:03:04
Father's life in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-84-2) - 00:03:21
Going to Japan with family as a child (ddr-densho-1000-84-3) - 00:01:41
Father brings oyster seed from Japan (ddr-densho-1000-84-4) - 00:03:13
Father starts the New Washington Oyster Co. in Willapa Bay, Washington (ddr-densho-1000-84-5) - 00:04:07
Father's passing (ddr-densho-1000-84-6) - 00:02:10
Mother works as seamstress making clothes for Japanese community (ddr-densho-1000-84-7) - 00:02:48
Early involvement in church and the YMCA (ddr-densho-1000-84-8) - 00:02:54
Attending elementary and Japanese schools (ddr-densho-1000-84-9) - 00:03:00
Childhood memories: reading, picnics, and attending programs at the Nippon Kan Theatre (ddr-densho-1000-84-10) - 00:02:23
Brothers' participation in sports (ddr-densho-1000-84-11) - 00:04:30
Participation in YWCA activities (ddr-densho-1000-84-12) - 00:02:32
A brief attempt at schooling in Japan, struggling with a "manners" class (ddr-densho-1000-84-13) - 00:04:35
Double discrimination, no jobs for Japanese American women in the U.S. or Japan (ddr-densho-1000-84-14) - 00:07:07
Attending the University of Washington (ddr-densho-1000-84-15) - 00:02:42
Moving to San Francisco and working for the YWCA (ddr-densho-1000-84-16) - 00:03:56
Meeting future husband (ddr-densho-1000-84-17) - 00:05:15
Husband's family background (ddr-densho-1000-84-18) - 00:03:35
Husband's difficulties finding work in the medical field (ddr-densho-1000-84-19) - 00:06:41
Using experience in social work to assist needy families (ddr-densho-1000-84-20) - 00:04:04
Japanese physicians are hampered by curfew restrictions (ddr-densho-1000-84-21) - 00:03:14
Seattle's health department refuses to provide typhoid inoculations to Japanese Americans (ddr-densho-1000-84-22) - 00:03:54
Working for the War Relocation Authority, helping people move before the mass removal: $50 for train fare to "wherever" (ddr-densho-1000-84-23) - 00:02:15
Memories of Puyallup Assembly Center: setting up a makeshift hospital without medical equipment (ddr-densho-1000-84-24) - 00:03:58
Conditions in Puyallup: getting chicken pox, army looks for contraband in a chocolate cake brought by visitors (ddr-densho-1000-84-25) - 00:03:32
Attitude toward violation of rights, "There was nothing we could do about it because they had the guns" (ddr-densho-1000-84-26) - 00:03:50
Initial impressions of Minidoka (ddr-densho-1000-84-27) - 00:01:58
Maintaining contacts outside camp: YWCA, American Friends Service Committee (ddr-densho-1000-84-28) - 00:03:08
Working for the student relocation program (ddr-densho-1000-84-29) - 00:03:54
Starting "Girls Reserve" organization, offers to help war effort refused by Red Cross (ddr-densho-1000-84-30) - 00:02:22
Organizing a YWCA banquet in Minidoka, "I persuaded them to stop at camp" (ddr-densho-1000-84-31) - 00:03:24
Attending a meeting of Japanese Americans (ddr-densho-1000-84-32) - 00:02:01
Discussion of strained relationships between Nisei and Kibei in Minidoka (ddr-densho-1000-84-33) - 00:03:31
Activities of the Girls Reserve (ddr-densho-1000-84-34) - 00:04:03
Writing to social service groups outside camp (ddr-densho-1000-84-35) - 00:01:42
Christmas at Minidoka, sagebrush candles and a tumbleweed Christmas tree (ddr-densho-1000-84-36) - 00:01:11
Attending a YWCA conference outside camp (ddr-densho-1000-84-37) - 00:04:13
Problems with gossip in camp (ddr-densho-1000-84-38) - 00:02:23
The so-called "loyalty questionnaire," brothers volunteer for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team to prove loyalty (ddr-densho-1000-84-39) - 00:04:28
Earning money outside camp and using it to purchase items (ddr-densho-1000-84-40) - 00:02:21
Limited leave options available to husband (ddr-densho-1000-84-41) - 00:02:22
Helping people relocate to various cities (ddr-densho-1000-84-42) - 00:02:32
Leaving camp (ddr-densho-1000-84-43) - 00:01:57
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ddr-densho-1000-84-37 (Legacy UID: denshovh-snobu-01-0037)

Attending a YWCA conference outside camp

References are made to several of Nobu Suzuki's personal papers, which are currently available for public perusal at the University of Washington's Manuscripts and University Archives.

00:04:13 — Segment 37 of 43

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June 3, 1998

Densho Visual History Collection

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

ddr-densho-1000-84

Nobu Suzuki

Nobu Suzuki Interview I

02:21:51 — 43 segments

June 3, 1998

Seattle, Washington

Nisei female. Born November 25, 1909, in Seattle, Washington. Father established one of the largest oyster companies in the United States prior to World War II. Graduated from Garfield High School, the University of Washington, and then the Pacific School of Religion where she earned a master's degree in religious education. At the outbreak of WWII, assisted Nikkei who lost their jobs and worked with the WRA to help those families trying to relocate inland before the mass removal. Incarcerated at the Puyallup Assembly Center and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho, with husband who served as one of the camp's physicians. While incarcerated, worked on the student relocation and job leave programs. Maintained an active involvement in the Young Christian Women's Association throughout the war, and postwar. Resettled first in Spokane, than later in Seattle. After the war, became active in a myriad of organizations, including, the national PTA, American Association of University Women, League of Women's Voters, and King County Medical Society's women's organization.

(References are made to several of Nobu Suzuki's personal papers, which are currently available for public perusal at the University of Washington's Manuscripts and University Archives.)

Dee Goto, interviewer; Matt Emery, videographer

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

API