This history was obtained from: 1) Omaha chapter 20th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet in 1967, and 2) Omaha chapter 50th Anniversary Celebration handout in 1997, and oral reports.
A number of Issei and Nisei families resided in the Omaha area prior to World War II immigrating between 1915 and 1940, and settling mainly in the town of South Omaha. This group organized social events and picnics to share fellowship. After World War II, many other Issei and Nisei families moved to the Omaha area from the internment camps as a result of war relocation programs. Fr. Flanagan of Boys Town arranged for several families to join his staff at Boys Town in the latter part of 1942. With the assistance of the local War Relocation Authority (WRA) staff, the early evacuees organized an Omaha Reception Committee in 1943 and had an active social organization to take care of the social needs of new families coming from the camps. Some members of the newly relocated families had been active members of JACL in their communities before the war. With the assistance of the JACL regional office in Denver and the national JACL office in Salt Lake City, a campaign was launched to form a new chapter in Omaha.
Originally there were 17 persons who signed the petition to request a charter for the formation of an official JACL chapter. The minimum of 25 was waived by national headquarters. On June 28, 1947, the charter for the activation of the Omaha chapter was issued at Salt Lake City, Utah, which was then the national headquarters of the JACL. The Omaha chapter began with a number of non-Japanese members as charter members. In 1967 at the 20th anniversary of the chapter, approximately 35% of the members were not of Japanese descent. In addition to the integrated nature of the chapter, military men returned to the U.S. with Japanese brides, and they were welcomed into the community and the chapter.
At the 50th anniversary of the chapter, over 70 families of Japanese descent were JACL members in the greater Omaha metropolitan area. At that time, the chapter hosted annual social gatherings (Halloween potluck, Christmas potluck, late winter dinner and speaker, Easter Egg Hunt, and graduation celebration, and summer picnic). Between the 20th and 50th anniversaries, the chapter members were also involved in the Mountain-Plains District Council, served on the national board, participated in civil rights activities, joined coalitions with other cultural organizations, served in politics and city services, began major businesses, and provided educational outreach to elementary, secondary, and university students on Japanese American historical events. The members had a bowling league, a Japanese dance troupe, awarded two scholarships to the children of members, and served sukiyaki dinners for fundraising. The chapter also supported the youth through a Jr. JACL (later called a JAYS) chapter. Local members moved across the country and maintained their Omaha memberships.
In 2009, the chapter membership has dwindled, and the leadership is mainly Sansei and Yonsei members. A few social events continue (Christmas party, late winter dinner with 80th birthday celebrations, Easter Egg Hunt, and a graduation luncheon). There are now three scholarships available, ranging from $5,000 to $500. The chapter members work with a committee at Creighton University on Day of Remembrance events each February, participate in the Holiday Ethnic Festival with a cultural booth and the dance troupe performance, and serve on the Midwest District Council board (as a result of re-districting) and national convention committees. Members also continue to educate the students in the area about Japanese American culture and history, and have been active contributors to the Omaha community in business, politics, education, agencies, faith institutions, and coalition groups. Back |
