MARIE (Matsuno) NASH
![Marie Nash](https://www.alaskawomenshalloffame.org/wp-content/uploads/2013-nash.jpg)
• Human Rights
• Politics
Inducted: 2013
Bristol Bay Region
Ugashik
MARIE (Matsuno) NASH
Marie Matsuno Nash has a very long and deep history of contributions to the people and communities of Alaska – both rural and urban – as a professional and volunteer with non-profits. Currently, Nash serves as the board secretary of the Japan Relief Fund of Alaska Foundation and has been instrumental in JPRF’s efforts to raise donations and awareness of the Great East Japan Earthquake /Tsunami that Japan experienced in 2011. Nash was born in the Minidoka Internment Camp in Idaho where her Aleut Mother and Japanese-American father, along with her older brother, were interned during World War II. After the war, her family returned to Ugashik, Alaska, her mother’s village. From the fourth grade she was schooled in Haines and returned home during the summer to commercial fish and assist in the food preservations for winter. These life experiences greatly influenced her advocacy and humanitarian work.
Her distinguished career in politics started at the University of Alaska when she met Howard Pollock during his campaign for Congress. After graduating, she worked for Pollock in his office in Washington, D.C. This was followed by working for Governor Hammond and Senator Stevens.
To quote her nominators Tony Nakazawa and Irene Rowan: “Nash is a truly genuine person who is committed to helping individuals in a crisis, serving at all levels, going above and beyond the norm in helping individuals and community organizations.’ Joy LeDoux Mendoza, former high school and college intern for Senator Stevens, says Nash “served as my mentor then and currently as a second mother.” She remembers Nash for the home cooked meals she supplied to many interns and, “how she guided me gracefully to overcome the mistakes I made along the way.”
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