15 Facts About Clara Breed

Clara Estelle Breed was an American librarian remembered chiefly for her support for Japanese American children during World War II.

Clara Breed worked for the San Diego Public Library system for more than 40 years, including 25 years as city librarian.

Clara Breed's parents were Estelle Marie Potter and Reuben Leonard Breed, a Congregational minister.

In 1928 Clara Breed started work as the children's librarian in the East San Diego branch library.

Clara Breed established the Serra Cooperative Library System that increased efficiency of interlibrary loans.

Clara Breed was the driving force behind the construction of San Diego's central library building in the 1950s.

Clara Breed noticed that before the children were sent to the camps, their behavior and manners had changed; the formerly outgoing and enthusiastic learners had become sullen and withdrawn.

Clara Breed gave the children self-addressed stamped postcards and told them to write to her and to tell her what they needed.

Clara Breed was an outspoken opponent of Executive Order 9066, the internment policy instituted by President Franklin Roosevelt in February 1942.

Clara Breed wrote to many members of Congress and wrote two published articles about the unfair treatment of the children and the other Japanese Americans placed in internment camps.

Clara Breed received more than 250 letters and postcards from the children during the time they were interned.

In 1955, Clara Breed was named "San Diego Woman of the Year" by the San Diego Women's Service Council.

Clara Breed's letters were the basis for a 2006 book, Dear Miss Breed: True Stories of the Japanese American Incarceration during World War II and a Librarian Who Made a Difference, by Joanne Oppenheim.

In 2007, Clara Breed was inducted into the San Diego Women's Hall of Fame in the Cultural Competent Bridge Builder category.

In 2014, Clara Breed was inducted into the California Library Hall of Fame by the California Library Association.