Noteworthy Press
Kiyo Sato and Dandelion Through the Crack have been making news since day one.
We present some of her many accomplishments that have been recognized in the press. (Note: these were previously posted on the Home page.)
Kiyo Speaks at Japanese-American Museum
July 17, 2010
As part of a reading from her book, Kiyo spoke to a very appreciative audience of 50 to 60 people at the Japanese-Amerian Museum in Los Angeles today. It was a very mixed crowd with three generations represented. Kiyo said they appeared to be mostly older sanseis (3rd generation Japanese-American), yonseis (4th generation) and maybe a dozen niseis (2nd generation like Kiyo). The audience was lively and actively engaged, making for a wonderful and rewarding presentation.
Kiyo said JANM's hospitality was exceptional. Except for the rigors of dealing with LAX, she felt like she was on a mini-vacation. She particularly enjoyed her two-day stay at the Miyako Hotel and the fabulous Japanese breakfasts they served.
Kiyo Presented Honorary Degree
May 19, 2010
Today a small group of Japanese-Americans, including Kiyo, received honorary degrees from Sacramento Junior College. Pulled from the school in 1941 by Executive Order 9066 and sent to internment camps, they finally received their degrees 70 years later.
For more information and video, see the Fox40 article: Sacramento Students Wait 70 Years To Graduate.
Kiyo Speaks to 1500 Students
April 13-15, 2010
Kiyo spoke to over 1500 students at Spring Valley High School and two other schools in the Las Vegas area. Speaking twice each day, she passed on her experience and insights on her time in the camp and the terrible trials Japanese-Americans suffered during WWII.
She said the Las Vegas schools treated her exceptionally well. One comment she made: "They gave me great accomodations at the Red Rock Hotel. So noisy 12 floors below with Nevada's ubiquitous machines; quiet and elegant in my room."
Kiyo at Poston Camp III Reunion
April 5-7, 2010
Held at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, the three day reunion included a banquet and many other special events. Kiyo was the guest speaker from at the final morning's breakfast event.
Kiyo "Packs the House" at Torrance Public Library
Kiyo was the guest speaker for Torrance Public Library under their Meet The Author program and enthralled a standing-room-only crowd for over an hour. Kiyo spoke eloquently about the events in Dandelion Through the Crack, the other internment camps, and life in general for Japanese-Americans after Executive Order 9066 was issued.
Kiyo was excited to have her nephew present and was privileged to have people from every camp in attendance. There were even people who had been students at the same Edward Kelley school in Sacramento that Kiyo attended. See photos here...
Kiyo is Guest Speaker at Fort Irwin Event
May 20, 2009
On May 20, Fort Irwin and the National Training Center held their Asian-Pacific Heritage Month celebration with Kiyo as their guest speaker. As the base's newsletter The High Desert Warrior noted, Kiyo "returned to somewhat familiar ground" as the harsh, hot, desert environment at the training ground is exactly like that at Poston, not too far to the southeast.
Kiyo was treated with great respect and had kind words for her escorts, Sergeants Addy and Kalawaia. She and the other guests for the celebration were treated to dinner and were joined by the commanding officer of the 916th Support Brigade, Colonel Gaffney.
Kiyo also was given a brief tour of the training area including a visit to a mock town, Medina Wasl. She said it was fascinating and wished she had more time and energy to explore its alleys.
In her 20 minute presentation, Kiyo painted a picture of the struggles and trials her family and all the other Japanese-Americans suffered during the internment. She related many anecdotes, including the preparations her wise father made for the journey to the camp. Her presentation was extremely well-received by all.
Kiyo a Guest Speaker at Smithsonian Institution
February 19, 2009
Kiyo was one of three distinguished writers who spoke at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC about their recent titles highlighting the Japanese American experience. This was part of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program to mark the 67th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the subsequent imprisonment of 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II.
Kiyo Wins Saroyan Competition!
September 5, 2008
Kiyo received the William Saroyan Prize for International Writing (non-fiction). Stanford University Libraries, in partnership with the William Saroyan Foundation, announced the winners during a ceremony held at Stanford.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2008/september10/saroyan-091008.html
More Well-deserved Recognition!
April 25, 2008
Dandelion Through the Crack and Kiyo Sato received the highest awards from Northern California Publishers & Authors this past weekend.
The NCPA 2008 Awards (for books published in 2007) were presented in Sacramento, California.
Dandelion Through the Crack received the Gold Award (best overall book).
Kiyo's hard work and excellent writing were further recognized when she was honored with the Best First Book award.
Award of Excellence!
March 25, 2008
Kiyo received the Award of Excellence in Publications from the Sacramento County Historical Society for her inspirational memoir, Dandelion Through the Crack.
Kiyo in the News!
Kiyo and Dandelion Through the Crack have received some terrific exposure recently.
When Kiyo traveled to Poston earlier this year for the premiere showing of Passing Poston (see announcement below), she was accompanied by Sacramento News10's Sharon Ito.
Newsweek also covered the story in a series of videos.
Experience Poston!
Hear first hand accounts from Kiyo and other Poston survivors as they speak openly about their lives at the internment camp and what it felt like to be stripped of American citizenship and treated like an enemy by their own country.
In Dandelion Through the Crack, you will read Kiyo's enthralling and moving memoir of her life before, during, and after Poston. Through this film, Passing Poston, you will hear the experiences of three more internees: Ruth Okimoto, Mary Higashi, and Leon Uyeda.
For an educational experience that will further bring to life both the hardships and the joys related in Dandelion Through the Crack, be sure to see this excellent documentary.
To learn more and to view the trailer, visit www.passingposton.com.