EVENTS CALENDAR (NOTE: MARCH 6 TH MEETING PLACED CHANGED) March 6 - 9:30 am Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens Gail Awakuni, Principal Campbell High School "Future of Public Schools in Hawaii" April 3 - 9:30 am Branch Annual Meeting and Potluck Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens May 1 Scholarship Luncheon Pohai Nani June 5 - 9:30 am WWC, Hale Akoakoa, 105 Dr. Colette Brown UH School of Social Work "Gerontology and Aging" |
About Us
In the early years, from 1952 to 1958, Windward O'ahu AAUW members met as a section of the
Honolulu branch. By 1958, there were 55 section members; by 1959, the branch received its own
charter. As Hawaii achieved statehood, enthusiasm grew and Windward Branch membership reached
75 by 1960. The newly chartered group was then known as the Kailua Branch.
Programs planned by the founding members were much like those of today. Special study groups and
projects to benefit the community were developed. As the Kailua Branch evolved through the 1970's,
the Educational Grants Fund for graduates of local high schools was expanded to include women
re-entering college. Community involvement grew to include the Reading is Fundamental (RIF)
program in Hawai'i. Branch volunteers continue to this day as volunteer readers.
In 1982, the Branch name became the Windward O'ahu branch in order to encompass a wider
geographical area. In 1988, monthly meetings were scheduled for Saturdays to accommodate a
growing number of employed members and to attract younger members to the group. Fund raisers for
local educational grants and for the Association's Educational Foundation program were important
activities. Interest groups continued to flourish with ArtSmarts,Great Decisions, Literature groups
and an informal Lunch Bunch. In 1989, the branch celebrated its 30th year as a chartered branch as
the state of Hawai'i celebrated its 30th year of statehood.
In the 1990's, branch members continued to serve the community by volunteering to support the
Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter, by working on the Save Olomana campaign and the Bayside Park
project in Kane'ohe and by continuing as the facilities inspection team at Kailua High School. With
the Honolulu Branch, Windward members participated in the annual GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math
and Science) Conference and co-sponsored the 49th Anniversary Dinner of the founding of the United
Nations.
As a result of many community-centered activities, Windward O'ahu AAUW was awarded 5-Star
Status, recognition given to outstanding branches by the National AAUW. As the new millennium
approached, members celebrated the accomplishments of the past knowing that Windward O'ahu
AAUW had made a difference in achieving higher education, societal equity and career opportunities
for women.
In the 2000s, the branch continued its support of the Spouse Abuse Center and the annual GEMS
conference. The branch also initiated classes for women at the Women's Correctional Center in
recognition of women's inequities in the prison system. Interest groups continued to meet and the
branch hosted the Division Conference.
In 2002, the Windward O'ahu AAUW Scholarship Fund was formed as a separate entity. It received
501 (c)(3) status. Thanks to a generous former member, an Endowment Fund was also established.
Monthly meetings centered around "Caring for our Own Backyard" and "Our World Beyond Our
Shores" while Interest Groups continued to grow. By 2006, the theme changed to "Women in the
21st Century and Women Leaders". Fund raisers continued to support annual local scholarships and
the Association's Educational Foundation. The first endowment scholarship was awarded in 2006.
From 1970 through 2008, 176 college scholarships totaling more than $86,000 have been awarded to
windward girls and women with priority given to those of diverse and disadvantaged circumstances
and to women returning to higher education after a hiatus.
In the early years, from 1952 to 1958, Windward O'ahu AAUW members met as a section of the
Honolulu branch. By 1958, there were 55 section members; by 1959, the branch received its own
charter. As Hawaii achieved statehood, enthusiasm grew and Windward Branch membership reached
75 by 1960. The newly chartered group was then known as the Kailua Branch.
Programs planned by the founding members were much like those of today. Special study groups and
projects to benefit the community were developed. As the Kailua Branch evolved through the 1970's,
the Educational Grants Fund for graduates of local high schools was expanded to include women
re-entering college. Community involvement grew to include the Reading is Fundamental (RIF)
program in Hawai'i. Branch volunteers continue to this day as volunteer readers.
In 1982, the Branch name became the Windward O'ahu branch in order to encompass a wider
geographical area. In 1988, monthly meetings were scheduled for Saturdays to accommodate a
growing number of employed members and to attract younger members to the group. Fund raisers for
local educational grants and for the Association's Educational Foundation program were important
activities. Interest groups continued to flourish with ArtSmarts,Great Decisions, Literature groups
and an informal Lunch Bunch. In 1989, the branch celebrated its 30th year as a chartered branch as
the state of Hawai'i celebrated its 30th year of statehood.
In the 1990's, branch members continued to serve the community by volunteering to support the
Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter, by working on the Save Olomana campaign and the Bayside Park
project in Kane'ohe and by continuing as the facilities inspection team at Kailua High School. With
the Honolulu Branch, Windward members participated in the annual GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math
and Science) Conference and co-sponsored the 49th Anniversary Dinner of the founding of the United
Nations.
As a result of many community-centered activities, Windward O'ahu AAUW was awarded 5-Star
Status, recognition given to outstanding branches by the National AAUW. As the new millennium
approached, members celebrated the accomplishments of the past knowing that Windward O'ahu
AAUW had made a difference in achieving higher education, societal equity and career opportunities
for women.
In the 2000s, the branch continued its support of the Spouse Abuse Center and the annual GEMS
conference. The branch also initiated classes for women at the Women's Correctional Center in
recognition of women's inequities in the prison system. Interest groups continued to meet and the
branch hosted the Division Conference.
In 2002, the Windward O'ahu AAUW Scholarship Fund was formed as a separate entity. It received
501 (c)(3) status. Thanks to a generous former member, an Endowment Fund was also established.
Monthly meetings centered around "Caring for our Own Backyard" and "Our World Beyond Our
Shores" while Interest Groups continued to grow. By 2006, the theme changed to "Women in the
21st Century and Women Leaders". Fund raisers continued to support annual local scholarships and
the Association's Educational Foundation. The first endowment scholarship was awarded in 2006.
From 1970 through 2008, 176 college scholarships totaling more than $86,000 have been awarded to
windward girls and women with priority given to those of diverse and disadvantaged circumstances
and to women returning to higher education after a hiatus.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN WINDWARD O'AHU BRANCH CELEBRATING 50 YEARS . . . 1959 - 2009 |
Long-time members, Mary (left) and Faye
(right), share memories while collecting
donations for the Susan B. Anthony Bank,
Sacagewea Branch scholarship. Since its
founding, the Best Little Bank on Windward
O'ahu has awarded scholarships to 15
Windward Women. Mary has been the CFO
for the bank since its beginning. Donations
are collected at every branch general
membership meeting.
(right), share memories while collecting
donations for the Susan B. Anthony Bank,
Sacagewea Branch scholarship. Since its
founding, the Best Little Bank on Windward
O'ahu has awarded scholarships to 15
Windward Women. Mary has been the CFO
for the bank since its beginning. Donations
are collected at every branch general
membership meeting.
Kailua town ("two seas") is the
3rd largest city on O'ahu. It is
mostly a suburban community
graced by miles of lovely sand
beaches and good swimming
water. Kailua has long been
known as a top wind surfing spot
due to continuous off-shore trade
winds. It was here where
windward women of the 1950's
gathered to meet and eventually
form their own branch of the
American Association of
University Women.
3rd largest city on O'ahu. It is
mostly a suburban community
graced by miles of lovely sand
beaches and good swimming
water. Kailua has long been
known as a top wind surfing spot
due to continuous off-shore trade
winds. It was here where
windward women of the 1950's
gathered to meet and eventually
form their own branch of the
American Association of
University Women.
INTEREST GROUP NEWS
The Great Decisions study group meets
monthly at the home of Joanne F. October's
topic was "Human Rights in a New Era: Wars
for Peace?" The discussion leader was Jane C.
who led off the discussion on the
internationally mandated "responsibility to
protect" (or R2P). The discussion ranged from
the moral contradiction of going to war to
enforce peace, private versus government aid,
and the role of the UN in global disasters and
humanitarian aid.
From l to r: (standing) Margaret B., Betty S.,
Dorothy C. (seated on couch & chairs) ?., Bev
O., Faye D., Barbara B., Joanne F., Carol L.,
Sherry B., Joyce Y. (seated on floor) Mary G.,
Laurel Z. and Barbara S. Not shown: Jane C.
and Mary C.
The Great Decisions study group meets
monthly at the home of Joanne F. October's
topic was "Human Rights in a New Era: Wars
for Peace?" The discussion leader was Jane C.
who led off the discussion on the
internationally mandated "responsibility to
protect" (or R2P). The discussion ranged from
the moral contradiction of going to war to
enforce peace, private versus government aid,
and the role of the UN in global disasters and
humanitarian aid.
From l to r: (standing) Margaret B., Betty S.,
Dorothy C. (seated on couch & chairs) ?., Bev
O., Faye D., Barbara B., Joanne F., Carol L.,
Sherry B., Joyce Y. (seated on floor) Mary G.,
Laurel Z. and Barbara S. Not shown: Jane C.
and Mary C.