November 2023 Newsletter

The American Association of University Women at UH Mānoa (AAUW at UHM) is and will continue to be active for the 2023-24 academic school year.

The mission of our Registered Independent Organization (RIO) is to promote the values of AAUW on the UHM campus and in the community; we are working towards equity in society by providing the tools necessary for women to gain economic security, pursue their education, and advocate for women's rights.

AAUW at UHM's internship program, consisting of eight students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, is housed in the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, under the supervision of Director Atina Pascua, and sponsored by the AAUW Honolulu Branch.

To become a member, please email [email protected] expressing your interest. We will ask follow up questions at that time. In order to have an active-status in our RIO, we ask that you attend at least two events every semester. We have no membership fees. Our RIO is open to everyone!

Join AAUW at UH Mānoa, the OCCE, SEED, and SPAM in learning about Anti-Bias Education

Saturday, November 4th

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm 

Via Zoom

The American Association of University Women at UH Mānoa (AAUW at UHM), the Office of Civic and Community Engagement (OCCE), Student Equity Excellence Diversity (SEED), and Student Parents at Mānoa (SPAM) want you to become more educated on what it means to be anti-bias.

We will be watching "Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years," a 48 minute film that features vignettes of anti-bias strategies in early childhood classrooms interspersed with teachers reflecting on their practice. After, you will have the chance to chat with the anti-bias expert, John Nimmo!

A special book for your child will be gifted to those who sign up and attend this event!

Click here to register.

Come celebrate STEM day with AAUW at UH Mānoa

Wednesday, November 8th

11:30 am - 1:30 pm

ACCESS Lounge Dean Hall Room #6

Join us for this limu pressing event in honoring an outstanding scientist, Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott: 'the first lady of limu'. Grown around the coasts of the Hawaiian Islands, Limu is an algae that is popular for it's health benefits and traditional purposes.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields have long been dominated by men. Women only make up about 34% of the workforce in these fields. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to encourage and support girls’ involvement in STEM. This is incredibly important and needed as diversity in stem creates more innovative and inclusive approaches. Increasing the amount of women in STEM creates future opportunities and addresses the gender pay gap. Finally, the STEM field is full of unique and valuable skills that should be accessible to girls and women. Although stereotypes, biases (implicit and explicit), and underrepresentation are just a few of the obstacles women face in pursuing STEM careers, there are many more. 

 Many educational efforts are being made to address these issues (shoutout AAUW!) as more female mentors enter the field and service as role models for young girls. Guidance, inspiration, and promoting inclusivity all create a more welcoming environment for women. Having more women in STEM is not just a matter of gender equality. In fact, it is about harnessing the untapped potential of half of the global population. Not only does encouraging women and girls to pursue STEM show societal progress, it fosters economic growth. By addressing the challenges women face and supporting them in their endeavors, we can bridge the gender gap in STEM fields and create a truly inclusive future for the next generations of scientists, engineers, and more.

Written by: Ryan Lashlee



Come learn new sewing skills!

Wednesday, November 15th

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Location: TBA

Want to learn how to sew simple fixes for your clothes? Join us on November 15, 2023 for a small workshop and learn to use a basic sewing kit that you can take home afterward!

RSVP here, as supplies are limited.



Speed Networking with AAUW at UH Mānoa

Monday, November 27th

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

PACE (RISE Building Level 2)

The American Association of University Women at UH Mānoa is collaborating with the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, for our speed networking event.

Save the date and meet other like-minded individuals from diverse majors.

Don't miss this chance to meet our guest speakers and learn from their own entrepreneurial journeys! Be there to connect, learn, and grow. 

Please click here to RSVP.

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month, also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, is a time set aside in the United States to celebrate and honor the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Native Americans, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

The observance began as a weeklong recognition in 1986 when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed American Indian Week. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint resolution of Congress, which designated November as National American Indian Heritage Month. This was expanded in 1994 to include Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives.

During Native American Heritage Month, various events, activities, and educational programs are held across the country to promote awareness and understanding of Native American history and culture. It's an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Native Americans to the nation's heritage and to foster a greater appreciation for their diverse traditions, art, music, languages, and customs.

It's important to recognize that Native American Heritage Month is not only about celebrating the past but also about acknowledging the ongoing challenges and issues faced by Native American communities, such as economic disparities, healthcare disparities, and the preservation of their languages and cultures. The month serves as a platform to raise awareness of these issues and work toward greater understanding and support for Native American communities.

Next AAUW at UH Mānoa Open Meeting

Wednesday, November 15th

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services (QLCSS) Room #208

Our next open meeting will be on Wednesday, November 15th from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the QLCSS Room #208. Current RIO members and anyone interested in joining are welcome! We will provide light refreshments. 

This will be an excellent opportunity to engage with fellow RIO members, hear about our intern team's current affairs, and let us know about what programming you would like to see us put on. 

We hope to see you there!

Here is a letter received from Ke Kula 'o Pi'ilani expressing gratitude for the school supply donations!

After so many children and their families were displaced from the fires, it is important to support our neighboring island to make sure they are taken care of, especially when it comes to school.

AAUW at UH Mānoa would like to give a big thank you to AAUW Honolulu, Helping Hands Hawaiʻi, and Target Honolulu for all their help and donations to make the event a success!

We will be at campus center almost every week!

Stop by our table at the UHM campus center (by Starbucks) to meet some of our interns and hear about our team's current affairs, and let us know about what programming you would like to see us put on. To make it easy, here is a calendar to keep track of all the times we're on campus.

November 3rd - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

November 7th - 9:00 am - 10:00 am

November 15th - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

November 22nd - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

November 29th - 9:00 am - 10:00 am