By GWEN MURANAKA, Rafu Senior Editor
TORRANCE — The Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California welcomed 2024 on Feb. 3 with a little glue, stickers and pastel cards and some creative volunteerism.
As part of the program at the Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance, attendees helped to make Mother’s Day cards to give to residents of Atherton and Kei-Ai Los Angeles HealthCare Center.
That spirit of volunteerism has been the mission of JWSSC, founded in 1904 and celebrating its centennial this year. During the business portion of the gathering, the members voted to donate $500 to earthquake relief for the people of the Noto Peninsula, who are recovering from the Jan. 1 temblor.
The luncheon was emceed by Kitty Sankey. Outgoing President Joyce Chinn thanked the organization for the opportunity to serve the past two years. She said the experience made her stronger person and thanked the board for all their efforts.
Yuriko Shikai was sworn in as the new president along with the officers by her daughter, Sayuri Candice Shikai, treasurer of the Japanese American Bar Association. Yuriko Shikai is an attorney and a member of the Little Tokyo Business Association, JABA, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California and the Southern California Kendo Federation. She has the rank of six-dan in kendo.
Shikai paid tribute to leaders, including Hiroko Ikuta, longtime JWSSC member and also a shodo teacher, advisor Kay Inose, Tomoko Sakurai, Mami Sone, wife of Consul General Kenko Sone and honorary JWSSC president, and Chinn.
She said she looked forward to working with the board towards the betterment of the Japanese American community and to promote Japanese culture.
“Let us embrace the possibility of the new year ahead and recognize the importance of collaboration. I wish you a joyous and fulfilling new year,” Sone said.
Haru Takehana, JCCSC president, offered congratulatory remarks. Masashi Shikai, recipient of the Nikkei Spirit Award, led the toast.
At the conclusion, Sankey, reflecting on the passing of time, offered the words of poet Leo Christopher for inspiration: “There’s only one thing more precious than our time, and that’s what we spend it on.”
JWSSC 2024-25 Board
Honorary president: Mami Sone
President: Yuriko Shikai
Vice presidents: Sachiko Okazoe, Mari Robinson, Yuko Uyesugi
English secretary: Linda Honda
Japanese secretaries: Sachiko Okazoe (January, May, September), Mari Robinson (February, June, October), Yuko Uyesugi (March, July, November), Itsuko Ramos (April, August, December)
Treasurer: Marie Tanaka
Assistant treasurer: Miyuki Namiki
Auditors: Kiyo Doizaki, Kiyoe Suzuki
Members at large: Yoko Awaya, Dulce Kawata, Anne Yoshihara
Past presidents/advisors: Hiroko Ikuta, Kayoko Inose, Yoshiko Yamaguchi, Itsuko Ramos, Tomoko Sakurai, Joyce Chinn
Senior advisors: Kazuko Doizaki, Yuriko Tanaka, Rose Yoshiyama, Toshie Kawaguchi, Keiko Miyahara, Kitty Sankey
Photo by GWEN MURANAKA/Rafu Shimpo