This collection contains materials the American Friends Service Committee produced and collected pertaining to their activities and the experience of Japanese Americans during and after World War II.

Founded in 1917, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a social justice organization established by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), that aims to end discrimination, build interracial peace, and fight for civil rights. During WWII, they were one of the few organizations that actively opposed Japanese incarceration and made concerted efforts to help the community. Members visited concentration camps to provide moral support and bring food and other necessities. The AFSC established hostels during the resettlement period to provide short-term housing, help secure employment, and aid the transition out of camp. They also assumed leadership of the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council (NJASRC) to resettle more than 4,000 Japanese American students into universities nationwide. In 1947, the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.

0.42 linear feet (1 box)

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Collections Management and Access Unit at the Japanese American National Museum (collections@janm.org).

By appointment only. Please contact the Collections Management and Access Unit (collections@janm.org). Advanced notice is required.