SADATAKI, MARY HATA (13 Nov. 1916-24 Aug. 1993) was a teacher at a Japanese relocation camp, a founding member in 1965 of the Cleveland Japanese-American Foundation, and, together with her husband, William, helped develop the Cleveland Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League.
Born in San Francisco, Ca. to Reverend and Katsura Hata, Mary attended San Francisco public schools and Westminster junior college. Mary then studied in Japan prior to WORLD WAR II.
During WWII, Mary and her family were placed in the Rowher Relocation Camp in Arkansas in 1942. She taught elementary school at the camp.
Mary gained release from the camp to attend Macalaster College in St. Paul, Minn. on a scholarship. She graduated from Macalaster College in 1944 with a degree in social work and took a job working with juvenile delinquent children in Chicago.
Mary moved to the Cleveland area in 1953. She helped to negotiate a rental program allowing elderly first-generation Japanese to live together at Euclid Villa Apartments and hosted regular parties for senior citizens at her home.
As president in 1973 of the Japanese American Citizens League Mary helped to initiate scholarship programs for college-bound seniors, and helpt start an annual holiday fair of Japanese crafts in EUCLID.
Mary Hata married William Sadataki in 1953 and had a son, William Jr. Mary, a Methodist, is buried in Northfield Macedonia Cemetery in Northfield.
Last Modified: 12 Nov 2007 02:50:27 PM- Related Article(s)