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/
Correspondence from Miriko Nagahama to Betty Salzman, December 27, 1943
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.
Personal letter mentions mutuel acquaintances and desire to see visitors, a ban on anything other than business visitors, and a requirement that all visitors must apply for permits. The letter also mentions the prospect of being in Manzanar for a long time. Toda states that camp life will not stop them from having fun, such as a picnics; she mentions "weiner bakes" along with hot, dusty conditions. She also notes Salzman's work on swing shifts and urges Salzman not to let her work get her down, but rather to "do your part for the U.S.A. - 'Keep them flying!'"
Personal letter describing school and life in Washington, DC, including attendance at the Cavalcade of Freedom show, and asking about friends, including two who may have been at an incarceration camp that she describes as being perhaps near Tahoe.
A letter from Honey Toda to Betty Salzman about Toda's experience in school.
Personal letter discusses Nagahama's shorthand and drafting classes; Salzman's promotion to instrument tester [at Lockheed]; her own and Salzman's saxophone playing; Hideo [Watanabe's?] employment as business manager in the "Free Press" (her quotes) office; and rationing at Manzanar. She also expresses sorrow at the loss the prior week of 177 "former Bainbridge Island people" who had been removed to "Hunt Relocation Center in Minidoka, Idaho" mentioning that they had petitioned to "evacuate to the Idaho center right after the riot when there was so much tension because they wanted to be with the people from up north where they had come from." She further discusses her surprise that people had been brought to Manzanar from Bainbridge Island in the first place.
Personal letter describes being too busy to write and thanks Salzman for photographs "of the girls" mentioning that Nagahama feels nostalgic when she views them. Nagahama notes her efforts to educate herself as a kindergarten teacher and that she cannot quit the job because the Education Department told teachers that, if they were to quit, they would be "blacklisted and another job will be difficult if not impossible to obtain"; she also mentions the possibility of relocation, and that she has heard from Honey [Toda], who is attending the University of Maryland. Further discusses open houses for Inyo-Mono County residents and teachers, during which products and produce from Manzanar are featured, and that visitors have been impressed with "what has been done and is being accomplished here."
Request that Betty Salzman write a letter of recommendation to the War Relocation Authority on behalf of Miriko Nagahama so that Nagahama may leave Manzanar.
Personal letter expresses appreciation for Salzman's correspondence and mentions needing to take care of "another bloody nose"; it also describes fond memories of having attended football games during her "Glendale Hi and J.C. days" and notes that baseball and ping-pong are popular sports at Manzanar. Nagahama asks about Salzman and other women's work at Lockheed and about a friend's marriage and studies at UCLA, and mentions Honey [Toda] and a visit by several friends at camp; the friends had secured a permit for only one hour. She also states that she is in a teacher training program for nursery school, and describes activities associated with preparing for classes when the school opens later in the month.
