[Non-CKS] International Memorial Day for “Comfort Women” 2021 Essay Contest

“Whose His/Her Story”

Image provided by Comfort Women Action for Redress & Education (CARE)

Take part in CARE's 2021 Essay Contest to commemorate the International Memorial Day for Comfort Women and for a chance to win a prize!

Saturday, August 14, 2021
Time to be announced (Pacific Time)

June 19th is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict -- a struggle that is being fought by so many around the world.

And it is Juneteenth, when the news of emancipation finally reached Black Americans enslaved in Texas.

In a few months, the Comfort Women Action for Redress & Education (CARE) will commemorate the fourth official International Memorial Day for Comfort Women on August 14, 2021. The date marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark testimony of Kim Hak-sun, the first survivor to disclose willingly on August 14, 1991, her experiences in Imperial Japan’s military sexual slavery and human trafficking system.

This year, CARE is holding an essay contest for high school and undergraduate students in the U.S.. The theme is “Whose His/Her Story” and the aim is for students to explore how we should consider, interpret, and respond to the testimonies and memoirs of “comfort women” survivors, particularly when confronted with deniers and skeptics.

The guest judges are traci kato-kiriyama, Kathleen Collins, Dr. Maki Kimura, and Dr. Sandra Fahy. Winners and finalists will be announced on August 14, 2021. Please save the date for an online event.

Please see detailed guidelines posted HERE.

For a brief introductory message from Executive Director Phyllis Kim and CARE Advisory Board Member and NCRR Co-Chair Kathy Masaoka in front of the Glendale Peace Monument, watch HERE.

This contest is co-sponsored in community with:

Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR)
YWCA Glendale and Pasadena (YWCA GP)
Progressive Asian Network for Action (PANA)
Pacific Asian Nuclear-Free Peace Alliance (PANPA)
Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF)
Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC)
Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC)
Korean American Coalition (KAC)
Peace Over Violence (POV)

Please email any questions to comfortwomenaction@gmail.com.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: If you don’t plan on submitting to the contest but are interested in helping to organize entries and create graphics, please email comfortwomenaction@gmail.com.