<Begin Segment 11>

MA: So I also wanted to ask you about something that happened a couple months ago, which is the University of Washington held a ceremony for Japanese Americans who couldn't graduate because of the Executive Order 9066. How did you feel being officially recognized at that ceremony, or about the ceremony in general taking place?

KB: It was beautiful. I think it was a very great idea that the university had. I felt a little guilty because I had received my degree. Actually, I was in my last year of school, and I think we were moved in May, the early part of May, and the school year would have ended towards the end of May, so I just had a few more weeks to go to complete my studies. And so those of us who were so close to graduating were given diplomas. It was mailed to us after we went to camp, and we had a kind of a graduation ceremony in camp where high school and college graduates were celebrated. So I, when I was called to attend this, I said, "Well, look, I already got my diploma. I'm not so sure if I should be eligible to attend this." And the professor said, Professor Kashima said, "Oh, well, we don't, that's all right. We still want to honor everybody who was at the university at that time." So this was why I went, and I think it was a very great thing for the university to do, because many of the students didn't graduate from the University of Washington and were not able to. And I appreciated the fact that they did this.

MA: So as a Japanese American woman, to pursue a career in medicine, you broke a lot of barriers, I mean, for your time. I just wondered, looking back, what sort of kept motivating you and inspiring you to sort of achieve your professional goals and to have a great career in radiology?

KB: I really don't know. I think, now, my interest in studying had a lot to do with it. I liked, I liked to study, I liked to learn new things. I don't know, it just, it just moved along with opportunities that came up and continued with whatever I could. I think the challenge of teaching other doctors, of profession, I think that really encouraged me to pursue my own interests. It was a very enjoyable part of my work.

MA: Oh, when you were teaching the younger radiologists.

KB: Radiologists, and to see them become successful in their work, it was really a pleasant part of my career.

MA: Yeah, pretty rewarding.

KB: It is, yeah. We had some reunions after I retired, and when my colleague retired we had a party, it was like several years after I retired. And to see that people that I had worked with and trained became successful in their own work, it was just a very rewarding thing.

MA: So is there anything else that you would like to share or talk about?

KB: Well, we've covered a lot of territory. [Laughs]

MA: Covered a lot. But anything else that you want to say?

KB: You know, there's a lot in my life that went on that we have not gone into, but I'm not so sure that we need to go any further.

MA: Any important things that stand out that we haven't talked about that you think is important?

KB: Well, I really, you know, they were important to me, perhaps, but maybe not so much to other, you know, they're personal things that have happened, I can think of. But I think we covered most of my travels. [Laughs]

MA: Well, that's great. Well, you know, this has just been a wonderful interview, and thank you so much for sharing your, your story.

KB: Oh, you're quite welcome.

<End Segment 11> - Copyright © 2008 Densho. All Rights Reserved.