The Architect of Community: Irene Hirano Inouye
“Irene made all of us believe that museums could be more than things that looked towards yesterday. They could be places that are central to today and tomorrow.”
To celebrate Women’s History Month, we are dedicating this episode to a true titan of the Japanese American community: the late Irene Hirano Inouye. As the longtime CEO of the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and founder of the U.S.-Japan Council, Irene’s vision turned a “mess” of an old temple building into an international landmark and a permanent home for our stories.
In this deep dive, we explore Irene’s journey from a service-driven childhood in Gardena to leading national foundations like Ford and Kresge. We also get personal, discussing the “mundane” objects that connect us to our history.
Subscribe & Leave a Comment: If you were curated in a museum today, what mundane object would represent your heritage? Let us know in the comments!
Links & Resources:
- Learn more about JANM: Japanese American National Museum
- The US-Japan Council: Explore Irene’s Global Legacy
CREDITS
The music was created by Jalen Blank
Written by Koji Steven Sakai
Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai
Edited by Koji Steven Sakai
Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum
Koji Steven Sakai 