The Women’s Division of SGI-USA was a very decisive part of the development and growth of Buddhism in the United States and throughout the world. It was the Japanese war brides, married to U.S. military men who brought Nichiren’s Buddhism to America in the late ‘50’s and early 60’s. After the “honeymoon was over” they were hit with the reality of being in a “foreign” land not knowing the language and being at the mercy of their even more “foreign” American husbands and their families.

Although, in most cases they suffered, in 1960 President Ikeda, as the young leader of the little known Soka Gakkai in Japan, came to the U.S. and encouraged these Women Division members to attain 3 goals: 1) learn English, 2) drive a car, and 3) become American citizens. His encouragement was warm but firm as he gave hope to their lives and told them that their mission was not to return to Japan, but spread Buddhism in the United States.

Today President Ikeda continues to encourage the Women’s Division members. On February 27,1990 he came to Los Angeles and inspired the WD members with a renowned speech, “Buddhism Is The Clear Mirror That Reflects Our Lives” (now known to us simply as “The Mirror Guidance”) He encouraged the women of SGI to practice so that they would be able to “see” the inner workings of their faith, mind, and spirit and revitalize their lives enjoying abundant happiness.

This year, 2002 “The Year of Expanding Dialogue”, and particularly on the heels of the September 11th tragedy, President Ikeda encouraged the Women’s Division again. In his congratulatory message to the Women’s Division this past February, he asked us to “...continue our dialogue to enrich people’s hearts, sincerely embracing each other’s diversity and respecting each other’s unique character and personality.” He further added that, “This will lead to the expansion of happiness for oneself and for others.”

Matilda Buck, SGI’s national Women’s Division leader remarked that to change the current of the times, as President Ikeda additionally suggests in his message, we need to support activities maintaining the spirit that “the purpose of this Buddhism is to ensure that every single person, without fail, has a guaranteed means to change what feels unchangeable in their own lives.”