Ellen Hashiguchi

Most of my closest friends are of Japanese-American descent. The reason for this is mainly because I am a product of the war between the United States and Japan. By now, I assume many of you might know that many of your Japanese-American school mates were incarcerated in one of the 10 relocation camps throughout the U.S. In fact, I think almost all the Japanese-Americans in our age group attending schools in Berkeley and neighboring cities were born in a camp.

Thanks to our family, friends, churches, good neighbors, and teachers, I believe those of us who were born in the camps were brought up in a reasonably healthy environment in the East Bay. In my formative years, I can't remember any horrible experiences that have left scars. However, as an adult, I am aware of the subtle and not so subtle prejudice that existed then and now.

I attended Burbank Junior High. Each school morning, Martha Abe and Esther Omi would call out to Diana Mock and me to join them on the same walk along the railroad tracks for the next three years. We all stayed after school to play intramural sports where I could unleash my excess energy and competitiveness. The gym was also a place where I learned my best dance steps and acquired some soul while bonding with my black teammates. Burbank was truly an ethnic melting pot. We were diverse before this term became so widespread.

My journey after high school took me to San Francisco State college where I thought about a degree in teaching. I was a sheep that followed most of my female friends who were thinking about careers. My father unexpectedly died and our finances were such that I had to put my education on hold. I worked at various administrative positions, became a stewardess and even taught English in Japan. I worked my way up the corporate ladder at Bank of America to become a manager/vice president where I am still employed. I will celebrate 29 years with the company this September, and I look forward to retirement.

I am a divorcee who bore one child, a daughter, who is beautiful in many ways. I am a grandmother to a happy, alert 10-month old grandson, and I am pleased that another grandchild is on the way. I am an active grandmother who plays league tennis and social golf regularly.

Because I still live in Berkeley, I have many opportunities to see and visit with friends and acquaintances from years past. Believe me, it's a hoot (or should I say roast) when we get together. I am really looking forward to seeing more of you soon. Please wear a picture of yourself when you were a teenager so I won't have to guess your identity. I will do the same to save you the embarrassment.

I hope I haven't been a bore; I was trying to write from many perspectives. Besides, how do you pen a short bio to tell everyone what you've been doing for the past 58-59 years?!!

L-R: Daphne (Nakai) Hashimoto, Jane (Ouye) Yamamoto, Carol (Marisa) Suzuki,
Ellen Hashiguchi, Shirley (Yamasaki) Shiromoto, Jane (Adachi) Kaneko