Debut episode of ‘Voices of Gresham’ explores the pioneer ‘Western Empress’

PORTLAND, Ore. ( PORTLAND TRIBUNE ) — Gresham has a long history of commemorating important figures/families from its early history by naming roads and landmarks after them: Powell, Roberts, Eastman, Cleveland.

But for decades a prominent woman whose role in the city’s early development was no less influential was all but forgotten. Miyo Iwakoshi does not have her name enshrined on any local street signs. In fact, for decades she was buried in an unmarked grave, leaving behind a mystery for local historians to unspool with her family killed or dispersed to the far corners of the world.

Iwakoshi is the focus of the debut episode of “Voices of Gresham,” the new Gresham Historical Society podcast. Led by hosts Stephanie Vallance and Melissa Bevency, the podcast uses oral history, recordings and interviews to uncover the many historical mysteries across East Multnomah County.

Episode 1: A Japanese Pioneer in Oregon dives into the Iwakoshi family and its matriarch. They were the first Japanese residents in Oregon, arriving in 1880. Fluent in English, they were instrumental in supporting others arriving from Japan and creating a home for all in East County. For her role, Iwakoshi was nicknamed the “Western Empress” for her leadership in that community.

The episode also explores the efforts to find her unmarked grave, with lots of air time dedicated to a trio of women who took on the challenge of uncovering Iwakoshi’s legacy in the 1970s and 80s.

Read more at PortlandTribune.com.

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