FOR OUR ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
In December of 1987 a delegation of dignitaries from the New Bedford /Fairhaven area journeyed to Tosashimizu, the home town of Manjiro, and signed a “Sister City” agreement. This led to the incorporation of the “Fairhaven/New Bedford-Tosashimizu Sister City Committee, Inc.”. Since that time there has been an on-going exchange of political leaders, Little Leaguers, students, quilters, artists…etc.
In 2008 the Committee was designated to operate the museum which was created when the amazing fund-raising efforts led by Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara resulted in the purchase and renovation of Captain William Whitfield’s home at 11 Cherry Street, Fairhaven, Mass. With a new, international mandate for services, the Committee voted to change its name to one more in keeping with its new mission. Thus, did the organization acquire the name,
WHITFIELD-MANJIRO FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY, INC.
BOARD MEMBERS
(as of January 2023)
HONORARY
- Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, (Honorary President- in memorium)
- Mr. Junji Kitadai, Manjiro Historian, Tokyo, Japan – Emeritus
- Mr. Shinsuke J. Sugiyama, Ambassador of Japan
- Mr. Setsuo Omori, Consul General in Boston
- Mr. Robert Whitfield, 5th generation descendant
- Ms. Kyo Nakahama, 5th generation descendant
- Mr. Jon Mitchell, Mayor of New Bedford
- Mr. Robert Espindola, Fairhaven Selectperson
- Mrs. Stasia Powers, Fairhaven Selectperson
- Mr. Keith Silvia, Fairhaven Selectperson
- Mr. Mitsunobu Hijiya, Mayor of Tosashimizu
PARTICIPATING
- President & CEO, Gerald P. Rooney, recipient of Order of the Rising Sun, Gold & Silver Rays – ECM
- Vice-President, Michael Silvia, community leader – ECM
- Treasurer, Dr. Brian Bowcock, community leader – ECM
- Secretary, Ms. Debra Almeida, Ed. D. – ECM
- Cultural Advisor, Ayako Rooney, founding member – ECM
- Ms. Kristine Audette, bookkeeper, volunteer – ECM
- Ms. Teresa Berard, – ECM
- Ms. Joan Doyon, WMFH tour guide
- Ms. Aline Duval, retired nurse, tour guide
- Ms. Joni Gaudiello, teacher, Bristol Community college
- Mr. Enrique Goytizolo, antique dealer, WMFH Curator
- Mr. Peter Grilli, President & CEO, Japan Society of Boston (RET)
- Ms. Gail Isaksen, Fairhaven businesswoman, community volunteer
- Mr. Andrew Langhauser, retired businessman, tour guide
- Ms. Carolyn Longworth, Director, Millicent Library, ret. founding member
- Prof. Shigeru Miyagawa, Head of Foreign Language Dept., MIT
- Ms. Cheryl Moniz, businesswoman, community volunteer
- Ms. Debbie Morris, Whitfield home owner
- Mr. Arthur Motta II, Dir. of Marketing, New Bedford School System
- Mr. Charles Murphy, administrator – ECM
- Dr. Matthew C. Perry, 4th generation descendant
- Ms. Jill Simmons, past member, Mattapoisett Harbor Master, NBPD-RET – ECM
- Mr. Robert Whitfield, 5th generation descendant – ECM
ADVISORY
- Mr. Tsutomu Karino, Procedural & Organizational advisor, New York
- Ms. Louise Tapper, retired teacher
- Mr. Kenzo Kiikuni, Chairman, Brd. of Sasakawa Mem. Medical Foundation
- Mr. Mikio Kumagai, Sec. Gen., St. Luke’s Int. Hospital Foundation
- Ms. Carolyn Wingate, retired teacher, musician
- Ms. Barbara Owen, past Treasurer
- Mr. Yoshio Okawara, former Ambassador
- Mr. William Do Carmo, Community Advocate, Businessman
- Ms. Ger Tysk, author, mariner, musician
NOTE: ECM = MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE