Licensing

Letter to Clara Breed from Louise Ogawa, Arcadia, California, May 16, 1942

Even though Miss Breed's letters to her "children" have not survived, it is clear from letters like this one that she did, in fact, write. Louise Ogawa clearly writes in her letter to Miss Breed, "I am glad you asked some questions because I was puzzled as to what I could write about that would be of interest."

Transcription:

May 16, 1942 / Dear Miss Breed, / Thanks a million for your letter! I was more than glad to hear from you. I am still one of the 16,023 in Santa Anita Assembly Center. We are just fine and I hope you are in the best of health too. I am glad you asked some questions because I was puzzled as to what I could write about that would be of interest. Yes, the library is open now to the public. It has a few books but mostly magazines. / The tables at which I serve seat 16 people on one side--32 people can be seated in one table. I do not know in measurements how large it is. To the kitchen, where I work, it is about two miles, but to the kitchen where I eat (when not at work) is about 8 blocks away from home. No, the tea which we drink is not Japanese tea. It is black tea. Oh, if only I knew you were fond of tea--we had quite a bit of tea at home which we packed in a box and stored. It is useless stored away and I'm sure you would have enjoyed it, but I guess it's too late to think of that now. We were all so busy packing and settling our affairs that we didn't stop to think until we arrived here. I guess we were all too excited to think straight. / Yes, I have one sister and 2 brothers. One brother is in Japan. My sister and brother always went to the main library. I have not met many new acquaintances. I have met girls from Gardena, Hawthorne, Downy, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Long Beach. / There are many entertainments for us. Every Saturday evening there is a dance. It is limited to couples only and all the parents are invited. Clubs of girls and boys as well as boy scouts are being organized. Children between the ages of 3-12 yrs. go to school. On May 13, I attended the community singing. It was very enjoyable. Every night there is a baseball game. / I thought maybe you would like to hear about how we wash and iron. Well, first I'll tell you about washing. There is a large community washing place. I drew a sketch of it below. [diagram of long communal basin with seven sets of hot and cold taps on a side] About 100 people can wash at one time. I am not artistic so you will have to excuse my awful drawing and use your imagination. Right now the washing place is the ironing house. There are two washing place and 2 ironing house. Stationary ironing boards have been set up. All we have to furnish is the iron and cord. In another part of the ground are rows and rows of clothes lines. So many people go to wash that often a line is formed similar to that of a lunch line. / As I said in my last letter, I have enclosed 2 issues of our paper. I hope you will enjoy reading it. Wishing you always my best. / Sincerely, / Louise Ogawa / Ps. My best to Miss McNary.