Speech:   "Soroptimist activity in my hometown"    Eiko SAITO　　(Back to Davis)

     at Soroptimist International Group in West Sacramento     March 19  2003

I would like to  thank  Mrs. Jeri Wingfield, the President of the Soroptimist International, West Sacramento. 

Soroptimist ソロプティミストとは、職業をもつ女性による国際的福祉団体のことです。1921年にカリフォルニア州のオークランドで誕生しました。最初は、医師、教育者、出版者などの仕事のもつ8名の女性による団体として出発、現在では世界中にその会員は増え続けて120国の10万人にもなる巨大な組織に発展しています。その使命は、地域社会に対する女性ならではのボランティア活動です。全米各都市では、様々な分野に対するソロプティミストの地道な奉仕活動が行われています。

Thank you very much for thoughtful introduction. It is honor to me to be here and talk to you.

First I would like to introduce myself briefly. My name is Eiko Saito. I was born in Tokyo. It was my dream to study in this country since I was very young.

After graduating from Keio University in Tokyo, I began to work as a librarian in the International House of Japan. I liked the job very much.  Fortunately I got the Fulbright scholarship for studying at the Graduate Library School, Indiana University, Bloomington.  I enjoyed studying there very much.

After I went back to Japan, I got married to Takashi. We have two daughters.  Takashi has been here as a visiting professor to UCD since last April.  I wish I could have stayed with him, but I had to come and to go back very often, because both of our mothers are old and are living alone, so I have to take care of them some times. Last year I visited here for four times in eight months. This is the second time this year and This is our last visit. 

I am very happy and thankful that all my family are here and enjoying Californian life together. As two of my sisters are living here with their families,  one in Sacramento and other in San Jose, they are really helpful to me. American people here are very friendly to us. I like the weather. It is so comfortable! The natural beauty is amazing: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Napa Valley, Death Valley, …Vegetables and wine are all fresh and very good. I wish I could live here much much longer.   

 I first heard about Soroptimist several years ago in Japan.  One of my best friends introduced me to Mrs. Kenmochi who is a member of Soroptimist in Kamakura area. Kamakura was the ancient capital of Japan., It is still one of the cultural centers in the area, and there are many old temples and shrines. The Great Buddha is very famous among all. It is located in the suburbs of Tokyo.

Mrs. Kenmochi invited me to a meeting where Mrs. Hosokawa, the wife of the Prime Minister Hosokawa at that time, was the guest speaker. She spoke about the Soroptimist activities. The members of Soroptimist were beginning to help training athletes by professional coaches so that they can participate in the Special Olympic Games for Mentally Retarded People. Mrs. Hosokawa eagerly explained how they were organizing the activities and they needed voluntary help from anyone. I was much impressed at their purpose of training those mentally retarded people who are usually weak in athletics. It is very good to give these people the motivation. I thought the members were planning very carefully. As I had no time to participate to their activities then, I donated some money  and they put my name on their mailing list.

Now I become feeling very familiar with you, Soroptimist.  After I go back to Japan, I am looking forward to have contact with Mrs. Kenmochi  and to know more about their present activities in Kamakura area.

Thank you for listening to me.

                                             (Back to Davis)