EVENTS CALENDAR AAUW Windward branch will adjourn for the summer following the June 5 meeting. The branch will reconvene for its 2010-2011 year in September. HAPPY SUMMER! |
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.
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| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN WINDWARD O'AHU BRANCH NOW ENTERING OUR SIXTH DECADE . . . 1959 - 2010 |
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.
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.
WINDWARD O'AHU BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The board meets regularly once a month on
Monday evenings in various member's homes.
Members of the branch are encouraged to attend
along with elected and/or appointed board
members. The agenda is set by the president but
can be altered by any board member. The meetings
are lively and informative. The secretary keeps
minutes of all board meetings as well as minutes of
the business conducted at general membership
meeting.
(seated l to r top row) Flo, Janet, Mary, Kathy,
Keene and Lily.
(seated l to r bottom row) Dixie, Leslie, Gay and
Sue.
The board meets regularly once a month on
Monday evenings in various member's homes.
Members of the branch are encouraged to attend
along with elected and/or appointed board
members. The agenda is set by the president but
can be altered by any board member. The meetings
are lively and informative. The secretary keeps
minutes of all board meetings as well as minutes of
the business conducted at general membership
meeting.
(seated l to r top row) Flo, Janet, Mary, Kathy,
Keene and Lily.
(seated l to r bottom row) Dixie, Leslie, Gay and
Sue.