Materials relating to the forced relocation to Manzanar, California, of Miriko Nagahama and Honey Mitsuye Toda, including correspondence, photographs, and newspapers from Manzanar during the period of Ms. Nagahama and Ms. Toda's internment by the War Relocation Authority. Donated in 1981 and 1995. Collection dates between 1941 and 1995. More information available at https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt700027b0/
Personal correspondence describes living conditions in the camp, including eating in the mess hall and the lack of variety of food. Toda also describes her preparation for work in the Education department and the possibility that a friend [Wilda Johnson] may come to Manzanar to teach. Toda also asks about Salzman's work at Lockheed, saying that she has heard it described as a "women's Paradise"; says that she misses school and WAA [?]; and describes attending meetings almost every night for an acapella choir class.
Personal correspondence describes appreciation for Salzman's visit and gift of comic books; it also mentions hot and dusty conditions at Manzanar.
Personal correspondence mentions a mutual friend's employment "at an aircraft co." and asks about Salzman's work [at Lockheed]; mentions that she is getting ready for school to open and that she is very busy in the Education Department; and states that, because there are "no beds or mattresses for teachers to sleep on" they have been told to stay home pending arrival of furniture. She also states that about 28 teachers who have already arrived are sleeping in barracks on cots, and that some of them are UCLA graduates. She mentions a recent dust storm and that she would like to go home, even if Manzanar "isn't too bad."
Personal correspondence; Nagahama promises to send a subscription of the "Manzanar Free Press" to Salzman as thanks for Salzman doing her a favor.
Personal correspondence mentions their old group of friends ("the gang") and activities; a visit from a lieutenant from the [WAAC'o?] seeking recruits, and that joining may be a possibility should school and job not provide a means by which Toda can leave Manzanar. She also discusses her work "slaving away for the 'educational system'"; Salzman's work as instrument-tester [with Lockheed]; an upcoming Manzanar anniversary celebration ("one year since the first volunteers came to this desert outpost"); and her desire to leave as soon as possible.
Personal correspondence describes Toda's studies at the University of Maryland, where she is majoring in Sociology and minoring in Psychology, and her work as a stenographer with the Department of Labor; asks about Salzman's class in electrical fundamentals; and discusses mutuel friends.
A letter from Honey Toda to Betty Salzman about Toda's experience in school.
Personal correspondence with illustration of Lake Tahoe sent from Kansas City, Missouri, where Nagahama is set to enroll in the Kansas City National Training School for Christian Workers.
Personal correspondence from Reno, Nevada describes time outside of the camp and the experience of being able to walk on real sidewalks and "breathe the carbon monoxide freely"; Nagahama also mentions that she and her sister are headed next for Kansas City, Missouri.
