Janice Mirikitani

February 4, 1941

Stockton, California , United States

During World World War II, she was interned along with her family at the Rohwer War Relocation Center in Arkansas. Following the war, the Mirikitani family moved to Chicago. She would later speak of the pain of her incestuous abuse through her poetry. During this time, she struggled with her ethnic identity, which she would later portray through her poetry. After gaining her teaching credentials, she taught in the Contra Costa School District for a year. She worked at Glide Memorial Church in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco as an administrative assistant. Janice Mirikitani then entered graduate school for creative writing at San Francisco State University, but later discontinued her studies. After participating in the Asian American Political Alliance, she joined Third World Communications and became the editor of Aion, the first Asian American literary magazine, from 1970-1971. She edited two anthologies for Third World Communications: Third World Women (1972) and Time to Greez! Incantations from the Third World (1975). Mirikitani then became project director for Ayumi: A Japanese American Anthology (1980). In 1982 Mirikitani was married to Reverend. That same year she was chosen as the president of the Glide Foundation, where she was responsible for fund raising and budget oversight. In 2000, she was named the second poet laureate for the city of San Francisco. The California State Assembly named her Woman of the Year for the 17th Assembly District.

Janice Mirikitani Edit Profile

program director Nisei farmers Sansei poet

Background

She was born in Stockton, California, to Shigemi and Ted Mirikitani, who were Nisei farmers in San Joaquin County. After her parents were divorced, Janice was brought back to a chicken farm at Petaluma, California, with her mother, where they would be near the remainder of their family.

Education

Janice Mirikitani attended University of California, Los Angeles, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Career

During World World War II, she was interned along with her family at the Rohwer War Relocation Center in Arkansas. Following the war, the Mirikitani family moved to Chicago. She would later speak of the pain of her incestuous abuse through her poetry.

During this time, she struggled with her ethnic identity, which she would later portray through her poetry.

After gaining her teaching credentials, she taught in the Contra Costa School District for a year. She worked at Glide Memorial Church in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco as an administrative assistant.

Janice Mirikitani then entered graduate school for creative writing at San Francisco State University, but later discontinued her studies. After participating in the Asian American Political Alliance, she joined Third World Communications and became the editor of Aion, the first Asian American literary magazine, from 1970-1971.

She edited two anthologies for Third World Communications: Third World Women (1972) and Time to Greez! Incantations from the Third World (1975).

Mirikitani then became project director for Ayumi: A Japanese American Anthology (1980). In 1982 Mirikitani was married to Reverend. That same year she was chosen as the president of the Glide Foundation, where she was responsible for fund raising and budget oversight.

In 2000, she was named the second poet laureate for the city of San Francisco.

The California State Assembly named her Woman of the Year for the 17th Assembly District.

Works

Awake in the River: Poetry and Prose Awake in the River: Poetry and Prose

We, the Dangerous: New and Selected Poems We, the Dangerous: New and Selected Poems

$Awake in the River \/ Poems and Stories Awake in the River \/ Poems and Stories$

book
- We, the Dangerous: New and Selected Poems
  (A selection of poems on a wide range of subjects - from t...)
- Awake in the River: Poetry and Prose
  (The author is married to Rev. Cecil Williams, the Founder...)
- Awake in the River / Poems and Stories

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