During Women’s History Month, what woman would you like to honor?
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Let’s pay tribute to Queen Kapi‘olani. In 1890, she helped found what is now Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. Through grassroots fund-raising, like luau and bazaars, she raised $8,000 to start what was originally called Kapi‘olani Maternity Home. Her deep compassion for the mothers and babies of Hawai‘i, lives on today in the care and medical services provided at Kapi‘olani Medical Center.
What Queen Kapi‘olani did 131 years ago is part of our island’s history, and also a story about humanity. In the year 2152, 131 years from now, what will exist that we are starting today? Is it even possible? Well, if it is done with the same compassion and generous disposition as the Queen, we may just have a chance. -KC Blangiardi
A woman that helped the Downtown Honolulu YWCA is Toshiko Takaezu. She passed away about 8 years ago, and was a close friend of mine. She received national recognition for her ceramic art work and was based at Princeton University. I am sure that the Honolulu YWCA has much information on her. -Marshall H.