Nominations Sought for ‘Women of Excellence’ Awards

Mayor Alan Arakawa, Council Chair Gladys Baisa (seated) and CSW Chair Barbara Potopowitz (second from right) congratulate the recipients of the 2014 “Women of Excellence” Awards. Honorees (left to right): Alberta DeJetley, Sheri-Ann Daniels, Agnes Groff and Paul Janes-Brown for Betty Janes-Brown. Photo courtesy County of Maui/Ryan Piros.

By Maui Now Staff

The Committee on the Status of Women is now accepting nominations for its “Women of Excellence” awards program. In conjunction with this year’s national theme observing Women’s History Month, the program will celebrate “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.”

Nominees will be selected based on the stories of women who inspire and encourage females of all ages to think big, and offer our community a fuller understanding of the female experience.

Five Maui County women will be honored in the following categories:

• A Young Woman’s Experience (14–21 years old)
• A Woman’s Perspective (21–59 years of age)
• A Retired Woman’s Insights and Contributions (60 years and older)
• Woman’s Group (groups that contribute powerfully and positively to the community)
• Honorary Historical Award (posthumous)

Nomination forms are available online under the “Additional Information” heading.

The deadline for nominations is 4 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2015.

Nominees and “Women of Excellence” winners will be recognized during a Women’s History Month awards presentation in late March at a date and location to be announced.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of the women who have helped shape Maui County,” said  Ann Arakawa, wife of Mayor Alan Arakawa. “Please take a moment to thank an exceptional woman you know by nominating her for one of the award categories. These women are role models for all of us, and it’s important that we give them the recognition they deserve.”

Recipients of 2014 awards included Sher-Ann Daniels, Women of Excellence Award; Alberta de Jetley, Career Achievement Award; Elizabeth Rosemary Betty Baker Breen Janes-Brown, Honorary Historical Award; and Agnes Goff, Unsung Hero Award.

For more information about this year’s award program, call Coralyn Dumlao at (808) 270-7855 or via email [email protected].