Written by: Aisha Patel

Clara Breed: The Guardian of Childhood Innocence Amidst War and Turmoil

Clara Breed is remembered as a beacon of hope and compassion during one of America's darkest hours. As a librarian, she dedicated her life to supporting Japanese American children during World War II, who were forcibly relocated to remote internment camps, stripped of their freedom and dignity.

A Life of Service and Devotion

Born on March 19, 1906, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Clara Breed was raised in a family that valued education and community service. Her father, Reuben Leonard Breed, a Congregational minister, instilled in her the importance of compassion and kindness. After her father's passing, the family moved to San Diego in 1920, where Clara would go on to make a lasting impact.

A Career of Distinction

In 1928, Breed started her journey as a children's librarian in the East San Diego branch library. Her dedication and passion for education led to her appointment as acting city librarian in 1945, and later, as San Diego's city librarian, a position she held for 25 years. During her tenure, the library system expanded, and she established the Serra Cooperative Library System, increasing efficiency of interlibrary loans and making books accessible to patrons across San Diego and Imperial counties.

Champion of Childhood Innocence

When Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Breed refused to abandon the children she had grown to love and respect. She kept in regular correspondence with them, sending books, letters, and messages of hope. Her visits to the camps were a beacon of light in the darkest of times, providing comfort and reassurance to the young inmates.

Awards and Honors

Breed's selfless dedication was recognized with numerous awards, including the 1942 Piermont Award from the American Library Association, and the 1975 California Library Association's Marguerite Welch Award for distinguished service to librarianship.

Legacy

Clara Breed's unwavering commitment to childhood innocence and education has inspired generations of librarians, educators, and community leaders. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and kindness in the face of adversity. Today, her legacy continues to inspire, and her work remains a testament to the transformative power of literature and education.

• "In times of war, it is the children who suffer most." - Clara Breed
• Clara Breed's papers and correspondence are housed at the San Diego State University Library's Special Collections and Archives.
• In 2001, the San Diego Public Library's main branch was renamed the Clara E. Breed Memorial Library in her honor.

As we reflect on Clara Breed's remarkable journey, we are reminded of the enduring power of kindness, compassion, and service. Her story is a testament to the human spirit, and a shining example of the profound impact one person can have on the lives of countless others.

In Memoriam

Clara Breed passed away on September 8, 1994, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and service. Her spirit continues to inspire, and her work remains a guiding light in the pursuit of education, justice, and human dignity.