The Kona Branch AAUW welcomes visitors and new members at any time. Please feel free to contact the Branch President for more information: Jamie Pardau at jpardau@gmail.com.

Our Kona Branch AAUW provides a number of on-going programs for our community and activities for our members. Our community programs are: Girls Exploring Math and Science (GEMS), Women In Transition (WIT), and Scholarships plus the various fundraising community service events needed to raise money for these programs. Activities for our members include monthly programs or special events, Gourmet Group, and a Holiday Dinner/Silent Auction party. We are committed to our own education and growth as well as to the advancement of others.

At the state and national levels AAUW membership is open to women (and men) who hold a degree from an accredited college or university, including a two-year Associate’s degree. In Kona we also offer a “community partner” membership option. Community partners are individuals who share our mission but do not have the degree. It is our belief that an individual’s purpose is more important than an individual’s educational history. Presently local/state/national dues are $74 a year with $49 going to national, $10 to state, and $15 staying at our local level. If individuals join between January and March the dues are cut in half, and if they join between April and June their dues are for the next membership year.

AAUW Kona Branch has received numerous awards from the American Association of University Women Association throughout the years. For example, In 1996, 1997, and 1998, AAUW Kona Branch received a designation as a "Five Star Branch" and in 1999 AAUW Kona Branch was honored with all "Seven Stars" for excellence.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF AAUW KONA BRANCH

The charter for AAUW Kona Branch is dated June 16, 1972.

But it really began April 15, 1971 when a few Kona women, (including Jean Perlmutter, first president, 1971-1973), met for lunch at Reubens with Doris Smith, membership VP from Hilo Branch, and Dorothy Shimer, a state officer from Kaneohe.

As a follow-up, a meeting was held May 15, 1971 at the home of Marjorie Alter, one of the sixteen charter members, past president 1997-1998, and a member today! (Virginia Moore was a charter member also.)

Of special interest, the Newletter for March 1972 lists the guest speaker for a discussion on conservation as Virginia Isbell, member of the Kona Conservation Group and the Kona Citizens Planning Council!

August 1999
Adele Bahl
Historian