About Ventura County Japanese American Citizens League
The history of the Ventura County Chapter of the JACL dates back to its organization in 1937 (known) as the Oxnard Nisei Civic League. It joined the JACL in 1941. Its first president was Brownie Furutani in 1941 and second president was Allen Kurihara in 1942. Like most chapters, it was inactive during WWII. In the post WWII years, the chapter held community picnics, fishing derbies, and even sponsored dances.
In May 1981, a meeting was held at the Oxnard Community Center to determine if the chapter should be re-activated again. Forty three persons were in attendance with a majority in favor of re-activating the chapter. Seven attendees agreed to serve on the executive board. In the early years after re-activation, according to Harry Kajihara, the chapter held many activities such as picnics, scholarship programs, Pioneer Senior Citizens nights, fundraising and cultural activities such as Japanese movie nights. Civil rights activities amounted to about 10% of the chapter’s time.
Aware of our responsibilities as the oldest and largest Asian Pacific American civil rights organization, JACL strives to promote a world that honors diversity by respecting values of fairness, equality and social justice.
The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.
