In memory of Ann Yasuhara, Social Justice Activist

Thank you, Ann, for a life well lived and so generously shared with the people of Appalachia.

Ann Yasuhara, Social Justice Advocate, Dies at 82
By Krystal Knapp on June 18, 2014

Ann Harris Yasuhara, 82, died at her home in Princeton on Wednesday, June 11. A logician and computer scientist, she was known for combining her Quaker faith with action focused on peace, social justice, racial equality, and the environment.

Ann’s life balanced her love for the sacredness of all life, the compassionate concerns of a Quaker activist for the world and the local community, her delight in music, gardening, and art, and her generosity to friends and family. Born on March 8, 1932 in Madison, Wisconsin, her parents were Julian Earle Harris, a noted French language educator at the University of Wisconsin, and Elizabeth Marshall Harris, a sculptor. Ann studied cooking and fashion design in Paris, attended Swarthmore College, and earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctoral degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois. In 1970 she and her husband, Mitsuru, settled in Princeton and pursued their interests in mathematics, music, and art. Ever adventurous, they traveled widely, including regular trips to visit his family in Japan. Her favorite place was her garden.

In 1972, Ann joined the new department of computer science at Rutgers University, where she was an associate professor. She supervised the dissertations of Frank Hawrusik, Venkataraman Natarajan, and Elaine Weyuker. Ileana Streinu, now the Charles N. Clark Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics at Smith College, remembers Ann Yasuhara’s classes on Recursive Function Theory and Logic and her textbook....

Ann belonged to the living tradition of Quaker spirit-led peace and justice activists. Unflagging in her resistance to war and violence, she studied the philosophy and methods of non-violent resolution of conflict with George Lakey, the noted Quaker peace activist. In turn, she led training groups for inner city children. Within the Society of Friends, she served terms at Princeton Friends Meeting as clerk of the meeting and clerk of the committee on peace and social concerns. She also served on committees in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, an association of 103 Quaker meetings. Most recently she enthusiastically supported — and went on protests with — the nonviolent direct action group Earth Quaker Action Team, which works to end mountaintop removal coal mining. On her 79th birthday, she protested on a strenuous mountain climb in West Virginia mining country. In January, just before she was diagnosed with cancer, the Philadelphia-based group honored her as one of its outstanding “wise elders.”


Please follow this link: http://planetprinceton.com/2014/06/18/ann-yasuhara-social-justice-advocate-dies-at-82/