Grace K. Iijima Memorial Fund
Donors
- Wayne and Nancy Smith
- Winthrop Munyan
Grace Iijima was born on October 31, 1910 in Fresno, California. She received a BA from Barnard College, and a BSLS/MSLS from the Columbia School of Library Services.
Between 1935 and 1976, Grace worked in the New York Public Library, retiring as Principal Branch Librarian of a large regional branch. From 1948- 1953 she worked in occupied Japan first for the US Department of Defense as Director of Civil Information Centers and then for the US Information Agency as Director of the American Cultural Center in Sendai, Japan. She also served as Liaison between the US embassy in Tokyo and HQ Far East Command, US Armed Forces.
After retirement, she became an advocate for women and the elderly, serving as a member on the executive board of the Global Alliance for WomenÕs Health (GAWH). For over two decades, she represented GAWH, the Pan-Pacific & Southeast Asia WomenÕs Association and the International Federation on Ageing at the United Nations. She also served on the boards of the NGO Health Committee and the NGO Committee on Ageing.
Quick to pick up a pen and try to correct injustices, she sought for 25 years greater equality and better health for women and the ageing and inspired all who came to know her. Her relatives, friends and associates deeply mourn her passing. While the NGO community at the UN has lost a beloved, vivacious and dynamic colleague, we celebrate her long life and extremely productive NGO career. She is truly a role model.
Survivors include Stsuko Morris and family of Palm Beach, Florida. Memorial services at 3:30 P.M. on March 4, 2004 in the chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations, 777 United Nations Plaza; at 2 P.M. on March 14, 2004 at the Japanese American United Church, 255 7th Avenue, N.Y.; and early next summer at the Mountain Grove Memorial Church, Huletts Landing, Lake George, New York.
Used for Global Alliance for Women's Health Programs.