Tsuyako Kitashima facts for kids

Tsuyako "Sox" Kitashima (1918 – December 29, 2005) was a brave Japanese-American activist. She worked hard to get justice for Japanese Americans who were unfairly held in special camps during World War II. Her efforts helped lead to the United States government saying sorry and paying money to those who were affected.

Early Life and Nickname

Tsuyako May Kataoka was born in 1918 in Hayward, California. Her parents, Masajiro Kataoka and Yumi Ishimaru, had moved from Japan. They owned a strawberry farm. Tsuyako had five brothers and sisters.

At school, her classmates found her name, Tsuyako, hard to say. They started calling her "Socko." Over time, this was shortened to "Sox," and the nickname stuck. Her family later moved to Centerville, California. Tsuyako graduated from Washington Union High School in 1936.

Life During World War II

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This event led the United States to enter World War II. Because of fears and prejudice, the U.S. government issued something called Executive Order 9066. This order forced about 120,000 Japanese Americans, including Tsuyako and her family, to leave their homes. They were sent to special "relocation camps."

First, Tsuyako and her family were held in horse stalls at a place called Tanforan in California. Later, they were moved to a single room at the Topaz War Relocation Center in Utah. They also spent time at Tule Lake. In August 1945, while still affected by these events, Tsuyako married Tamotsu Kitashima in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Fighting for Justice

After the war, Tsuyako Kitashima became a strong voice for justice. She joined the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations. This group worked to get the U.S. government to apologize and pay for the harm caused by the internment camps.

Her hard work helped pass the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This important law meant the American government formally apologized to those who were interned. It also gave them money as a form of "reparations" for what they went through.

In 1998, Tsuyako Kitashima received a special honor called the Free Spirit Award from The Freedom Forum. This award came with US$10,000. She was also recognized by the National Women's History Project for her contributions.

Later Life

Tsuyako Kitashima passed away from a heart attack on December 29, 2005. She was 87 years old and living in a care home in San Francisco, California. Her life showed how one person's dedication can make a big difference in fighting for fairness and human rights.