International Memorial Day for “Comfort Women” 2021 Essay Contest Extended Submission Deadline

In response to a few inquiries, we have extended the deadline to July 30, 2021 for all entrants. We hope this will provide ample time.

The theme of the contest is “Whose His/Her Story” and focuses on the memoirs of two “comfort women” survivors: Maria Rosa Henson (Philippines) and Jan Ruff O’Herne (Netherlands).

HIGH SCHOOL and UNDERGRADUATE students attending schools in the US can enter. Email comfortwomenaction@gmail.com if you have any questions.

One (1) winner in each category will receive $1,000 award. Finalists (TBD) will each receive $500 award.
Click HERE to read the GUIDELINES for submission.

PLEASE JOIN US for a virtual gathering of REMEMBRANCE and JUSTICE
for the survivors and victims of Imperial Japan’s military sexual slavery and human trafficking system during WWII.

Comfort Women Memorial Day Event
Date: August 14, 2021
Time: 11am Los Angeles time (PDT)
RSVP HERE

Our guest judges will introduce the winners and finalists.

traci kato-kiriyama
Kathleen Collins
Dr. Maki Kimura
Dr. Sandra Fahy

Afterwards, please join us for an open discussion and Q&A with members of CARE’s Advisory Board about educational efforts and the movement for justice.

Mike Honda (Former Congressman, D-CA)
Alexis Dudden (Professor, History, UConn)
Peipei Qiu (Professor, Chinese and Japanese, Vassar College)
Kathy Masaoka (Nikkei Civil Rights and Redress, Co-Chair)
Mindy Kotler (Director, Asia Policy Point)
Hon. Lillian Sing (San Francisco Superior Court, ret.)
Hon. Julie Tang (San Francisco Superior Court, ret.)
Phyllis Kim (Executive Director, Comfort Women Action for Redress and Education)

(Participants may change based upon availability.)

The online event will be recorded and is scheduled for 1.5 hours but may run longer.

The essay 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)
Korean American Family Services (KFAM)
Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC)
Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC)
Korean American Coalition (KAC)
Peace Over Violence (POV)

REMINDER: We are still gathering signatures in support of survivor Lee Yong-soo’s final campaign to refer “comfort women” issues to the U.N. International Court of Justice.

Your signature is crucial to demonstrate widespread interest in a lasting resolution to this historic injustice. As of today, there are 190+ signatures representing 15 countries.

Please sign and share the petition HERE
Read and interview this week with Lee Yong-soo HERE
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ON AUGUST 14TH!!

Email comfortwomenaction@gmail.com if you have any questions.