An International Influence

Katharine Densford was known as a leader in her community, Minnesota, the United States and internationally. "Be dedicated to and work consciously toward fuller international understanding; concern must be not for our own nation alone but for all nations so each may advance international understanding." She worked steadfastly within the International Council of Nurses to advance nursing's stature throughout the world. She traveled abroad often, and networked extensively throughout her professional career.

One legend in particular illustrates the regard with which she was held in Japan, although the story has still not been confirmed: that a mountain was named in Katharine's honor in Japan. The following occurrence after World War II may have been the impetus for the naming of the mountain or the beginning of the legend.

During the 1940s, numerous Japanese-Americans were being interned in California because of their ethnic background and the fear by certain Americans that they would be a threat to America. There were two opportunities, however, by which these individuals were able to avoid internment in these "relocation camps:" (1) to find a job in a local organization approved by the War Relocation Authority; and (2) to be accepted by a college or university outside the Western Defense Command of the United States. Katharine set about to find jobs and educational openings for approximately 200 women. When they arrived at midnight in Minneapolis by train, Katharine was down at the station, welcoming them to Minnesota. Additionally, she stayed with the group that was continuing on to Rochester to assure their safe transfer as they waited for a later train.