Michiko Nishiura Weglyn facts for kids
Michiko Nishiura Weglyn (born November 29, 1926 – died April 25, 1999) was a Japanese-American activist and clothing designer. She worked to teach people about the camps where Japanese Americans were held during World War II. When a government official, Ramsey Clark, incorrectly stated that these camps did not exist in the US, Michiko Weglyn decided to share the true story.
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Early Life and Family
Michiko Weglyn was born on November 29, 1926. Her family lived on a farm in Stockton, California. She had a loving mother, Misao, and father, Tomojiro. Michiko was one of two sisters. Every morning before school, she helped feed the chickens and horses. She wanted to show her father that she was just as helpful as a boy. Back in 1926, boys were often thought to be more important than girls.
Life in the Internment Camp
During World War II, Michiko Weglyn was sent to a camp in Gila River, Arizona. This camp was for Japanese Americans. Many people in America thought that Japanese people might be helping Japan during the war. They worried about another attack after Pearl Harbor.
Years later, Michiko heard a government official, Ramsey Clark, say that America never had these camps. He said that the camps that affected her life never happened. Michiko knew this was not true. She wanted to tell everyone the real story of what happened.
Sharing Her Story
Michiko decided to write a book about her experiences. The book was called Years of Infamy: The Untold Story of America’s Concentration Camps. She wrote it to help people understand the truth. Her goal was to raise awareness about these events. Because of her efforts, Michiko is known as an activist. She inspired many others to share their own stories too.
A Career in Fashion Design
Michiko Weglyn became one of the first Japanese-American female designers known around the world. Throughout her career, she created beautiful clothes. She designed outfits for actors and actresses. Michiko was known for being able to make clothes that looked great on anyone.
