Nisei Week Pioneer Spirit Award recipients (seated, from left) Grace Shiba, June Aochi Berk, Diane Watanabe, Barbara Shirota, Margaret Shimada, Gwen Muranaka, Patricia Kinaga. Standing (from left): Lindsey Sugimoto, Caitlyn Tera Sasaki, Amy Ryoko Kubo, Morgan Gee, Joanne Cordeiro, Consul General Kenko Sone, Mami Sone, Seia Loraine Watanabe, Anita Sumi Yayi Komatsu, Carina Aiko Sakimura, Joyce Nakashima.
By TOMOKO NAGAI
Rafu Staff Writer
The Nisei Week Foundation hosted the 2024 Pioneer Spirit Luncheon on Aug. 14 at the Double Tree by Hilton in Little Tokyo.
The event honored seven exceptional women with the Pioneer Spirit Award, recognizing their leadership and dedication to the Greater Los Angeles Japanese American community.
The awardees were welcomed into the banquet hall by the newly crowned Nisei Week Queen and Court, and were greeted by an audience of approximately 300 people. The head table, predominantly occupied by women, symbolized the empowering spirit of 2024 — a year when the nation might finally elect a female president, and perhaps even see a woman as the Japanese consul general one day in the future,
Among the women at the table were Nisei Week Foundation President Joanne Shin Cordeiro and emcee Lindsey Sugimoto, with the sole male presence being Japanese Consul General Kenko Sone.
Grace Shiba, representing the awardees, delivered an inspiring speech. She emphasized that the recognition motivates her and the other recipients to continue their work with even greater enthusiasm and dedication.
“This award is not just a symbol of our achievements,” Shiba stated, “but also a reminder of our responsibility to inspire others, mentor future generations, and strive for excellence in everything we do.”
The seven awardees have all made significant contributions to the community through their respective fields and careers:
? June Aochi Berk, born in 1932, has dedicated her life to preserving Japanese American culture, particularly focusing on the history of the World War II incarceration. At 91, she remains active in educating others about these injustices.
? Patricia Anne Kinagahas made significant contributions to the Japanese American and broader Asian American communities. Her work includes roles as a prosecutor, advocate for diversity in law, and producer of documentaries that preserve the history of Japanese American incarceration.
? Gwen Muranakabegan her journalism career at the **Pacific Citizen** and is now the senior editor at The Rafu Shimpo. She has been instrumental in documenting and sharing Japanese American stories, earning her the Distinguished Journalist Award in 2023.
? Grace Shibahas held various leadership roles within the Japanese American community and is currently the executive vice president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California. She has received numerous awards for her dedication to community service.
? Margaret Shimadarecently retired after nearly 30 years at the Little Tokyo Service Center, where she led efforts to expand mental health and homeless outreach programs. She was also a key figure in launching the Little Tokyo Eats program during the pandemic.
? Barbara Shirotahas been a long-standing member of the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center, where she served as its first female president. Her efforts in preserving Japanese American culture have spanned decades.
? Diane Watanabehas dedicated her 45-year legal career to advocating for fairness and equality. She has provided pro bono legal services to numerous Japanese American nonprofit organizations and has been a leader in the Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council.
The Pioneer Spirit Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the Japanese and Japanese American community, with nominees recommended by local organizations. This year’s nine-member committee, chaired by Joyce Nakashima, selected the seven recipients.
Nakashima noted, “The recipients have truly dedicated a lot of time, and they are still volunteering today.”
She also emphasized the importance of young people getting involved. “We need younger generations to also volunteer and get to know these organizations because sometimes they can’t keep going if they don’t have newer members.”
The Nisei Week Foundation will accept nominations for the 2025 Pioneer Spirit Award in the spring. Nakashima encouraged community members to recognize those who are making a difference, ensuring that the legacy of service and dedication continues.