Elaine Black Yoneda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elaine Black Yoneda
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Yoneda in 1942
|
|
| Born |
Elaine Rose Buchman
September 4, 1906 New York City, U.S.
|
| Died | May 29, 1988 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | San Diego High School |
| Occupation | Labor and civil rights activist |
| Political party | Communist Party USA |
| Spouse(s) |
Edward Francis Russell, Jr.
(m. 1925, separated) |
| Children | 2 |
_(trimmed).jpg)
Elaine Black Yoneda (September 4, 1906 – May 29, 1988) was an American activist. She worked hard for workers' rights and equal rights for all people. Elaine was also a member of the Communist Party and ran for political office in California.
Early Life and Family
Elaine Rose Buchman was born in New York City in 1906. Her parents, Nathan and Mollie Buchman, were Jewish immigrants from Russia. They had been active in worker groups in Ukraine. They left Russia in 1902 to find a better life in the United States.
The family first lived in Brooklyn, New York. In 1920, they moved to Lemon Grove, California, and then to San Diego. There, Elaine's father ran a dry goods store. Elaine went to San Diego High School. By 1924, the family was in Los Angeles. Elaine helped in the family clothing store and learned secretarial skills.
Her parents encouraged her to attend a meeting of the Young Workers League. There, she met Edward Francis Russell, Jr. They married in 1925, and their daughter Joyce was born in 1927.
Becoming an Activist
In 1930, Elaine became very involved in the labor movement. This movement works to improve conditions and pay for workers. She saw police act roughly towards an elderly woman during a protest. This made her want to help.
Elaine joined the International Labor Defense (ILD). This group helped people who were arrested for protesting or fighting for their rights. By 1931, she worked for the ILD office. One of her jobs was to help Karl "Hama" Yoneda get out of jail. He had been hurt and arrested by the police.
Soon after, Elaine separated from Edward Russell. She began a relationship with Karl. Elaine and Karl married in 1935 in Seattle, Washington. They could not marry in California because of laws that prevented people of different races from marrying.
After moving to San Francisco in 1933, Elaine continued her activism. She joined the Communist Party. She also worked for the ILD as a district secretary. Her work included supporting striking farm workers. She also visited people like Tom Mooney in prison. These people had been arrested under laws that made it illegal to support certain worker groups.
Elaine herself was arrested many times. For example, she was arrested in San Francisco in 1935 for protesting against unfair laws. She became known as the "Red Angel." This was because she worked hard to defend union members and protesters. She was the only woman on the main committee for the San Francisco General Strike of 1934. This was a huge strike by workers on the docks.
Elaine took part in many important events. These included the Salinas Lettuce Strike of 1934 and efforts to help during the Spanish Civil War. In 1939, she ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. She wanted to create free day care, affordable housing, and protect civil rights. She did not win the election.
Life During World War II
After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, things changed for many Japanese Americans. Elaine's husband, Karl, and their two-year-old son, Tommy, were forced to leave their home. They had to live in a special camp called Manzanar in California.
Elaine made sure her daughter Joyce was safe with her parents. Then, Elaine chose to go with Karl and Tommy to the camp. A small number of non-Japanese Americans were also in these camps. Most, like Elaine, were married to Japanese Americans.
In the camp, Karl and Elaine faced threats. Some people in the camp did not like that they cooperated with the camp authorities. Later, Karl was allowed to join the U.S. Army. He went to Burma to work in military intelligence.
After Karl left, there was a violent protest at Manzanar. People who resisted being held in the camp caused trouble. Elaine and Tommy's lives were in danger. So, Elaine was allowed to move back to San Francisco with her son.
Later Years and Legacy
After World War II, the family bought a chicken farm near Petaluma, California. Elaine continued her work for workers' rights and civil rights. She led the Sonoma chapter of the Civil Rights Congress. In 1960, they sold the farm and moved back to San Francisco.
Elaine stayed involved with many worker groups. These included the International Longshore and Warehouse Union's Women's Auxiliary. She also worked for peace and helped with various civil rights cases, like the Wilmington Ten.
The Yoneda family made yearly trips to Manzanar. They worked with the Japanese American Citizens League. This group campaigned for fair treatment and payments for Japanese Americans who were held in camps during World War II.
Elaine Yoneda died on May 29, 1988, from a heart attack. The day before, she had attended a rally for Rev. Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign. She spent her life fighting for fairness and justice for everyone.
