Kim Hak-Sun, first Comfort Woman to break silence, helped to bring to the public's attention the issue of Japanese sexual slavery during the Pacific War when she went public with her story in August, 1991. She died in 2007.
Halmonies (Grandmothers) Hwang Keun-Joo (86) and Gil Won-OK (78), Seoul, South Korea
Halmonie Chang Jeom-Dol (82), abducted in Manchuria and transferred to Singapore, held for 2 years, Seoul, South Korea.
Halmonie Lee Yong-Soo (78), gave her first testimony when she was 60 and began to remember all the details of her capture and rape for the first time, Seoul, South Korea
Halmonie Kim Jeong-Ae (85), Seoul, was kidnapped on her way home from her job at a factory making fishing nets, Tongyoung, South Korea
Halmonie Kang Soon Ae, (76), kidnapped at age 14 by soldiers and taken to Japan, held for 5 years, being comforted by advocate and therapist, Seoul, South Korea
Halmonie Kim Bok-Deuk (88), Tongyoung, South Korea
Lee Doo-Soon, (85), Tongyoung, South Korea
House of Sharing (Home to Comfort Women and a Museum in their honor), Gwangju, South Korea
Halmonie Park Ok-Son (82), with wedding photograph made a few years ago just for the pleasure of imaging themselves having been able to be married, House of Sharing, Gwangju, South Korea
Halmonie Lee Ok-Sun (89), House of Sharing, Gwangju, South Korea
Evening walk, House of Sharing
Since January 1992, every Wednesday, the women and their supporters demonstrate outside the Japanese Embassy, Seoul, March 2005
The Philippines. Malaya Lolas (Freedom Grandmothers) of Mapanique (178 women were raped over a three-day period).
The Red House (built in 1928 as an Army garrison), the place of captivity and gang rape by the Japanese soldiers, located on the edge of Mapanique, Philippines
The Malaya Lolas (Freedom Grandmas) from Mapanique, Philippines. Lola Lita on the right is the President of the Lolas
The Malaya Lolas (Freedom Grandmas) from Mapanique, Philippines. Lola Naring on the right was 9 years old when she was taken to the Red House
The Malaya Lolas (Freedom Grandmas) from Mapanique, Philippines
Lola Tarcila, Mapanique, Philippines
Lola Piding (77), was captured, held and raped alongside her own grandmother. She saw Lola Rosa on T.V asking other comfort women to break their silence and she stopped being afraid and told her own story, Manila, Philippines
Lola Maxima (78), Santa Rosa, Philippines
Lola Maxima gives her testimony by acting out her abduction and rape, Santa Rosa, Philippines
Lola Maxima gives her testimony by acting out her abduction and rape, Santa Rosa, Philippines
Two of Lola Maxima's daughters are present while she givers her testimony. Ether listens to her mother's story for the first time, Santa Rosa, Philippines
Lola Ortencia, Lila-Philipina office, Manila, Philippines
Rise with the Comfort Women of Asia
