LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Committee on the Status of Women is seeking entries for the 2020 Women’s History Essay Contest from high school students in private, public, charter and home schools.
The committee invites students to write a one-page essay about a woman who has inspired them.
“Celebrating Women’s History Month is an opportunity to honor and recount stories of female leaders’ talents, sacrifices, accomplishments and impacts,” said Regina Carvalho, committee vice chair.
”Learning about our past creates a path to build a better future. We hope to ignite the spark to inspire a thoughtful conversation,” she said.
This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the 19th Amendment. On Aug. 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, and granted all American women the right to vote. In celebration of this 100th anniversary, the National Women’s History Alliance has selected the 2020 Women’s History Month theme as “The Valiant Women of the Vote.”
The committee joins the alliance in honoring Wilhelmina Kekelaokalaninui Widemann Dowsett, a Native Hawaiian woman born and raised on Kaua‘i who was a prominent local leader of women’s suffrage.
In 1912, Dowsett founded the National Women’s Equal Suffrage Association of Hawai‘i, and served as its first president. She toured the islands, raising awareness of and support for voting rights for women.
She fought an uphill battle, as the Territory of Hawai‘i had established the Organic Act that stopped the territorial legislature from granting suffrage. Despite this, Hawaiian suffragists pushed an act through Congress granting Hawai‘i the power to decide.
Although the bill granting women the right to vote never passed in the Territory of Hawai‘i in 1919, Congress passed the 19th Amendment in 1920.
“We honor Ms. Dowsett for her work in establishing a voice for the women in Hawai‘i during the suffrage movement,” said Darcie Yukimura, committee chair.
For essay rules and entry forms, visit the committee website, kauai.gov/kccsw. Essays are due by 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, by email to smuragin@kauai.gov. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and will receive a cash prizes.
The Kaua‘i County Committee on the Status of Women is part of the County of Kaua‘i Office of Boards and Commissions and the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, which develops and promotes education, interactive opportunities on issues relating to women and girls, prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, and encouragement of health and wellness awareness.
For more information, contact Sandra Muragin, Office of Boards and Commissions, 241-4919 or smuragin@kauai.gov, or visit the committee website at kauai.gov/kccsw.
Anyone needing an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability may contact Anela Segreti at 241-4917 or asegreti@kauai.gov as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill any requests. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, braille or electronic copy.
