The Hilo Branch of the American Association of University Women is celebrating its largest membership ever in its 65 years of service to the East Hawaii community.
The Hilo Branch of the American Association of University Women is celebrating its largest membership ever in its 65 years of service to the East Hawaii community.
“During 2015, we added 23 new members to our organization, which is a huge accomplishment for us, as our members are our foundation, strength and greatest asset,” said president Rosemarie Muller. She said this growth enhances AAUW’s mission, which is “advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.”
The Hilo branch, which stays active, offers general meetings every other month. Meetings are open to the public and provide a venue of outside speakers to discuss topics of interest on a local, state and national level.
The Hilo branch also has a scholarship fund. A tax-deductible donation to this fund gives East Hawaii women an opportunity to discover the joy of learning and the life-changing opportunities higher education allows. The Hilo Branch annually awards $4,000 in scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College through the endowment fund and its multiple annual fundraising events.
In 2015, AAUW Hilo also co-sponsored a forum for the community called “Labor Pains: Fighting for Women in Science.”
Hilo Branch has several interest groups that meet monthly and offer its members lifelong learning and allow them to meet other educated women with similar interests. The organization provides a mentor program to students at UH-Hilo and is looking to expand that program to students at HCC.
Those with an associate’s degree or equivalent or bachelor’s degree or higher can join. Undergraduates can join the national AAUW organization. For membership information, contact Elizabeth Hansen via email at lizhansen222@gmail.com. You also can visit the Hilo branch website at hilo-hi.aauw.net.
AAUW Hilo is part of the national AAUW organization, which is celebrating nearly 135 years of promoting education and equity for women and girls and being a catalyst for change.