We are saddened by the passing of Joy T. Hashimoto (1927-2017), a YWCA leader and an inspiration.

Born in California to Dr. George Y. and Mary Takeyama, she and her younger brother George had happy childhoods in Los Angeles, and spent summers at her grandparents’ farm.

Joy’s mom served as the director of these YWCA Japanese American Girl Reserve groups, which had programming for young women’s empowerment, such as providing resources and helping to prepare girls for college, and for health and wellness, such as competitive sporting games in the relocation camps. Joy’s parents were dedicated, giving people, and their compassion and work helping others clearly influenced her – as she herself has explained,

“My parents taught me how to work for change.”

Resilient, optimistic, and hardworking, Joy was “a loving example of goodwill, kindness, and service.” Throughout her remarkable life, she was an inspiration to many, living with purpose and showing us all how to make the most of life.

Read the source article at YWCA USA Blog