The Dakota County Historical Society is set to offer a unique glimpse into a chapter of American history often glossed over in school textbooks. On Friday, Aug. 16 at the Sibley Historic Site, attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from Sally Sudo, a Japanese American who was interned during World War II, as she shares her experiences of life in an American concentration camp. The presentation is aptly titled "Life in an American Concentration Camp: The Japanese American Experience During World War II."
Tickets to the event are priced at $20, with a discounted rate of $15 for members of the Dakota County Historical Society and the Minnesota Historical Society. Spaces are limited, and those wishing to attend are encouraged to quickly reserve their spot by either calling the Sibley Site at 651-452-1596 or by visiting the Dakota County Historical Society's website. The Sibley Historic Site is located at 1357 Sibley Memorial Highway in Mendota.
During the presentation, Sudo will recall the ordeal of her and 125,000 other people of Japanese ancestry who were forced into internment by the U.S. government solely because of their race. According to the information on the Dakota County Historical Society's website, Sudo's own story of imprisonment began as a child following President Roosevelt's issuance of Executive Order 9066. She was first held at the Puyallup Assembly Center in Washington state and was subsequently relocated to the Minidoka concentration camp in Idaho. After leaving the camps, her family moved to Minneapolis in August 1945.
Sally Sudo, now retired from a career in teaching at Minneapolis Public Schools, dedicates her time to raising awareness about the injustices that Americans of Japanese ancestry faced during the war. By sharing her experiences, Sudo aims to educate the public to ensure that such history never again has the chance to repeat itself.
