Empowering Women Through Education: AAUW Honolulu's 120-Year Legacy of Scholarships

Since 1905, AAUW Honolulu has been transforming women's lives through educational funding—a tradition that continues to thrive today. What began with a single $5 pledge has evolved into a comprehensive scholarship program that has helped hundreds of women achieve their academic dreams.

Humble Beginnings: The Student Loan Fund (1905–1939)

The vision began in June 1905 when Augustus Knudsen pledged $5 toward an educational fund. By year's end, AAUW Honolulu (then known as the College Club) had raised $135, allowing them to offer their first education loan of $100 to Amy Hill—equivalent to approximately $3,500 today.

This initiative quickly united members around a common purpose. Over the next 33 years, the Student Loan Fund provided interest-free loans to more than 40 women pursuing higher education, demonstrating the club's unwavering commitment to women's advancement through education.

Expanding Horizons: The Pacific Fellowship Fund (1939–Present*)

In 1939, the organization made a pivotal decision to transition from loans to outright gifts. Recollected loan funds were invested to create the Pacific Fellowship Fund—a groundbreaking program supporting women from Pacific countries pursuing graduate studies at the University of Hawaii.

Marta Baclit, a nurse from the Philippines studying public health nursing, became the first Pacific Fellow in 1946. AAUW members didn't just provide financial assistance—they offered friendship, mentorship, and support through challenging times, establishing a holistic approach to scholarship that became the hallmark of the program.

Thanks to generous contributions from the Castle Foundation, Mary Dillingham, and others, the fund became self-sustaining by 1954. AAUW Honolulu's Pacific Fellowship grants made history as the first program bringing women from Pacific and Asian nations to study in the United States.

*Our Graduate Scholarship is now for students living and studying in Hawaiʻi and no longer called the Pacific Fellowship Fund.

Broadening Impact: Undergraduate Scholarships (1970s–Present)

The early 1970s marked another expansion when AAUW Honolulu began offering undergraduate scholarships. Initially conceived to support Micronesian women, the program was opened to all deserving undergraduate women. In 1973, the first $230 scholarship was awarded to a woman attending night classes at UH.

In the beginning, this fund flourished through member fundraising, community events, and significant contributions from E.E. Black in honor of his wife Ruth E. Black—a former AAUW Honolulu president and respected community leader.

Join Our Legacy Today

Now, 120 years after its inception, AAUW Honolulu continues its mission of helping women rise through education. Thanks to the vision of our founding members, we support more women each year through graduate and undergraduate scholarships as well as grants for working women.

Our Undergraduate Scholarship Application is open until March 23rd!

Become part of this inspiring legacy by donating to AAUW Honolulu today. Together, we can continue empowering women across our island home through the transformative power of education.

The AAUW Honolulu Undergraduate Scholarship Application is Open until March 23rd!

We awarded 10 undergraduate scholarships in the 2024-25 school year. This year it could be you! The first step is to apply today.

The application is online. Scroll down to the application once on our AAUW Honolulu Scholarship page.

2024–25 Undergraduate Scholarship Awardee:

Cameron Pagador

Cameron was one of our 2024–25 Undergraduate Scholarship recipients. She was recently accepted into Kapiolani Community College's nursing program! Congratulations!!

This scholarship supported her educational journey as she is completing her Associate's degree at Leeward Community College.

"This scholarship is more than financial aid; it's an opportunity for me, a single mom aspiring to become a nurse, to continue my educational journey," says Cameron. "It alleviates the burden of tuition and fees, allowing me to focus more on my studies and my four-year-old son, my biggest cheerleader and motivation."

Cameron plans to specialize in emergency care and provide services to underserved communities. Despite the challenges of returning to school as a single parent, she remains committed to her goals and is inspired by AAUW's mission to advance gender equity.

Are You Training to be a Pilot? Could you use some financial assistance?

The Tweet Coleman Aviation Scholarship has been going strong since 1990!

In the last four years, AAUW Honolulu awarded 14 female pilots aviation scholarships in Hawaiʻi. This is one of the few funding opportunities for female pilots in Hawaiʻi, so please spread the word!

For over three decades, the Tweet Coleman Aviation Scholarship has been breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women in aviation across the Hawaiian Islands. Named after pioneering aviator and generous donor, Tweet Coleman, this scholarship continues her legacy of empowering women to reach new heights in a traditionally male-dominated field.

AAUW Honolulu is now accepting applications for the 2025 scholarship cycle. Eligible candidates must be female residents of Hawaiʻi who demonstrate a commitment to aviation as a career path. The application deadline is April 30, 2025.

Women's Circle Recap: Career Transitions and Shared Wisdom

February 26th marked our fourth Women's Circle at the beautiful Kōʻula Building in Ward Village. Our focus was Career Transitions, and by breaking into smaller groups, we created space for deeper, more personal conversations.

The energy in the room was remarkable as women shared their personal stories - some preparing to return to the workforce after extended breaks, others contemplating complete career pivots, entrepreneurs reimagining their business ventures, and some women who have already done it all.

What struck me most were the powerful themes that emerged throughout our discussions:

One was the importance of owning our decisions and embracing our personal agency. So often we let circumstances, expectations, or fear guide our career paths. Yesterday, we reminded each other that we have the power to shape our professional lives, even when the path forward isn't crystal clear.

We also explored how our careers naturally unfold in chapters - each with its own purpose, challenges, and rewards. Recognizing these distinct phases helps us honor transitions as natural evolution rather than disruption.

Perhaps most valuable was the multi-generational wisdom shared around our tables. From recent graduates to seasoned professionals with decades of experience, each perspective offered unique insights that couldn't exist in age-homogenous groups.

I'm also thrilled to share that one of our attendees, after deliberation, finally decided to accept a new position following our conversation! Sometimes all we need is that supportive space to confirm what our hearts already know.

Finally, the delicious lunch from Sprout Sandwiches fueled our conversations. I am looking forward to continuing these meaningful connections at our next gathering. The power of women supporting women never ceases to amaze me.

AAUW Hawaiʻi Participates in Working Families Day

On February 28th, 14 dedicated AAUW Hawaii members, representing all six AAUW Hawaii branches, converged at the state capitol to advocate for critical legislative priorities as part of Working Families Day.

The group met directly with state legislators and key committee members to discuss two crucial bills: paid family and medical leave, and affordable childcare. Their advocacy was fueled by personal stories that highlighted the real-world impact of these policies.

Two narratives particularly resonated with the delegation. Shawnee Canjura shared her challenging experience caring for her mother with dementia, while Joanna Galingana discussed her journey to becoming an early childhood teacher. These personal accounts underscored the urgent need for supportive workplace and family policies.

Representative Kapela's passionate call to action further energized the group, emphasizing the importance of fighting for workers struggling to meet basic living expenses. Read more here.

Grassroots advocacy can be a powerful catalyst for meaningful social change, bringing human stories to the forefront of policy discussions. Interested in supporting working mothers and families? Get involved and make a difference!

Looking ahead

AAUW Hawaiʻi will hold the next installment of their Speaker Series via Zoom on April 23, 5:30PM. The topic will be "The Challenges of Title IX in the Current Environment." The main speaker will be Shawna Pabingwit, Title IX Coordinator of UH Maui College.

More information will be provided in our next newsletter.

AAUW's Transformative Impact in 2024: Year in Review

AAUW National has championed remarkable progress for women and girls throughout 2024. Here are some highlights from the year.



Empowering Women Through Education

• $6.3 million awarded to fellows and community organizations, opening doors to educational opportunities
• 75% of recipients were women of color, advancing our commitment to diversity and inclusion
• 45% of funding supported STEM-focused individuals and initiatives, addressing critical gender gaps in these fields

Powerful Advocacy in Action

• 47,000 messages delivered to elected officials through AAUW's Two-Minute Activist platform
• Over 400 congressional offices visited by dedicated Lobby Corps volunteers
• Joined forces on more than 100 coalition letters to Congress, amplifying a collective voice

Our Community

• 41,000+ members strong
• 6,000 honorary lifetime members who have supported our mission for 50+ years
• $1.4 million donated by members

Discover the full scope of AAUW's impact in the complete 2024 Annual Report, showcasing AAUW National's comprehensive work in economic empowerment, education, student leadership development, United Nations engagement, and advocacy advancing women and girls nationwide.

Equal Pay Day

On March 25, 2025, we mark Equal Pay Day, a symbolic date representing how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year alone.

This year's data show women who work full-time, year-round still earn only 83% of what their male counterparts make. When including part-time and seasonal workers, the gap widens further to just 75%.

AAUW Honolulu invites you to join us in raising awareness about this persistent inequity. Together, we can advocate for transparent pay practices, family-friendly workplace policies, and legislation that supports equal pay for equal work.



Mark your calendars for March 25 and help us spread the word about the importance of pay equity for all.

Women's History Month

The rich tapestry of Hawaiʻi's history is woven with the powerful contributions of women who have transformed these islands through resilience, wisdom, and unwavering determination.

Queen Liliʻuokalani's courageous leadership in defending Hawaiian sovereignty resonates alongside Patsy Mink's groundbreaking work as the first woman of color in Congress and architect of Title IX. Labor advocate Au Quon McElrath fought tirelessly for workers' rights, while scholar-activist Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask fearlessly championed Native Hawaiian self-determination. Dr. Donnis Thompson broke barriers as UH's first women's athletic director, establishing equal opportunities in sports.

AAUW Honolulu celebrates these trailblazers as their collective mana continues to flow through every aspect of island life, nurturing communities and cultivating a more equitable future for all who call these beautiful shores home.