26 Years of Service January 2013

SICO CELEBRATES
Amidst the hustle & bustle of holiday activities, SICO is proud to say that our membership still had time to pay homage to the Ehime Maru. The monument stands atop a peaceful, grassy knoll in Kakaako Waterfront Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean. On February 9, 2001, nine Japanese men and boys were killed when their ocean vessel, the Ehime Maru, was accidentally sunk by the surfacing USS Greeneville submarine off the coat of Oahu. Exactly one year later, the monument was dedicated to their memory. SICO annually takes pride in maintaining the cleanliness of the monument. Besides 8 members in attendance, District VI Director Lorene Hopkins joined us to clean the area and place bouquets of flowers. The session closed with a prayer to honor those deceased and their families. Fellowship continued with a holiday luncheon celebration at the Buca Di Beppo Italian restaurant where past President Lyn Lurbe reserved the Popes Room which set the tone for the festivities. Gifts, sparkly garlands and pasta galore were shared by all. There was also Christmas caroling with additional SICO members and Jane Murakamis cute nieces. Much fun and laughter was enjoyed by all as President-Elect Rene Mansho magically led the SICO chorus in music. President Leona has a short video of members singing Jingle Bells with enthusiastic gusto and bells. The restaurant employees surprised members as they stopped by and danced to the caroling. There was even a request to sing along as a restaurant customer was celebrating his birthday.

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF CENTRAL OAHU

Na Mea Hou

Calendar of Events
Meet at Ruby Tuesday

Thursday, February 7th

5:00 p.m. for dinner Meeting starts at 6:00 p.m.

February 27th Soroptimist Soiree, SI Honolulus 75th Anniversary March 7thNext Business Meeting March 23, 2013Awards Reception, Waialae Country Club, Brunch April 3rd, 2013Lei Ilima Girls Club, Mentoring Project May 3-5, 2013Region Conference, San Ramon, CA, all members invited July, 2014SIA Convention, Vancouver, BCMake plans to attend.

Presidents Message:

SICO Offers Scholarship

A project that has been envisioned for several years has come to fruition. Marilyn Lee and Rene Mansho chair the committee that has named the SICO Scholarship Youth Community Action Scholarship. Criteria and applications were developed and will be reviewed shortly.

Happy New Year!!! Get ready for an exciting 2013 - our ongoing projects continue to keep us all busy, the Annual Awards Reception on March 23rd is just around the corner and SI Honolulu will be celebrating their 75th year on February 27th. SI Waikiki celebrated their 50th in 2012 and we celebrated our 25th in 2011. A number of projects have been completed with more to come. you all deserve a pat on the back for jobs well done - I commend all of you for putting forth 100% on all the projects that needed to be accomplished. Looking forward to another great year!! Leona Soto, President, 2012-2013

On an introductory basis, applications were sent to Mililani, Leilehua and Waialua High Schools. The deadline for receiving the applications is January 30, 2013. The Committee is anxiously awaiting responses.

Brrrrrr..
Your newsletter editor, Jackie Pactol, was on a short vacation and was not able to have a newsletter ready for the January 3rd meeting. Visiting northern California during the winter is VERY COLD compared to the also cold but damp weather in Mililani. Although fairly acclimated to 65-68 degree weather in central Oahu, it was nothing compared to the temperature range of 29 degrees in the early morning and at night to a high of 53 during the day! Frost formed on cars parked on the street during one morning. The comfort of heated car seats was a welcome experience. Lucky we live Hawaii!!!

Share the Light of Soroptimist Service

Setting A Goal from The 7 Habits of Highly Ef-

Happy Birthday
President Leona Soto, January 6th Marilyn Lee, January 15th

fective People
An effective goal focuses primarily on results rather than activity. It identifies where you want to be, and in the process, helps you determine where you are. It gives you important information on how to get there, and it tells you when you have arrived. It unifies your efforts and energy. It gives meaning and purpose to all you do. And it can finally translate itself into daily activities so that you are proactive and you are in charge of your life.

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NA MEA HOU

KAT BRADY An Awesome Lady

For those who were not able to attend the club meeting in November, you missed an extraordinary ladyKatherine Kat Brady, holds numerous titles among which is the Chair for the Committee of Alliance for Prisons. (Editors note: not sure of the exact committee name) She has worked tirelessly for environmental prison reform. One of the challenges in which she succeeded was the return of Hawaii women prisoners incarcerated in mainland prisons where they were physically and sexually abused. Many of these women had been sentenced for non-violent crimes. Kat has worked on prison issues for about 15 years. One of the issues was to help women develop skills while in prison which took 8 years to convince the State Legislature on this subject. She took Republicans for a visit while working for Parity for Women Prisoners. She related stories of the Hawaii women going to an Oklahoma prison where no drug treatment was offered. These women were then transferred to a prison in Colorado where they were raped. They were later transferred to a prison in coal country in Kentucky that is located in a pit. There, they became sick. The rape continued. In Kentucky, rape is a misdemeanor and the women were threatened. However, the guards got their names listed in the local newspaper. The 124 women were finally able to be brought home after enlisting the assistance of the women and men in the State Legislature. Kat listed some concerns: Many women are convicted of non-violent crimes so the way that they are sentenced needs reform. They need treatment, need to learn skills or they will relapse. In many cases the women have a difficult time reconnecting with their children. A situation occurred where a woman had gone on to acquire a Masters degree and was able to use her education in a job in which she excelled and enjoyed. When it was time for a promotion for which she applied, her prison record prevented her from advancement. This perception needs to be changed. What SICO got out of this: help build a safer and healthier community by helping the women build self esteem and to treat people like humans. One misconception shared by a member and others was that the women prisoners were somehow not like us and violent. That was completed dissuaded. More about KatShe is on the Board of the Hawaii Innocence Project; Was the chair of the Status of Women for Hawaii County for 11 years with 4 mayors; was a justice advocate for social, gender, environmental issues; while with Life of the Land acted on the bombing of Kahoolawe. She even allows women prisoners to have her personal phone number and is often called out in the middle of the night to assist a woman. Unfortunately, members were so entranced with this gentle woman that we did not get a picture of her.

SICO Members on Kukui Connection

President Leona accepted an opportunity from Marilyn Lee to appear on her TV show, Kukui Connection, on the Olelo channel. After collaborating on how and what to discuss, Lyn Lurbe, Angie Bugarin and Jackie Pactol bravely proceeded to the studio. Marilyn explained that the format is talk story which we did. There was some nervousness as we presented the SI Central Oahu story. Marilyn will let us know when the show will be featured.

Laughter is an instant vacation

Health Tip
Walking is still the best activity to boost your emotional and physical health. Getting out in the fresh air can help clear your mind to bring you more clarity. If weight loss is a goal, walking is the answer. Increase the length gradually. Alternate walking fast for a few blocks and then slow down for a block or two. Repeat as much as you can handle and strive for about 45 minutes duration. Concentrate on your breathing to help keep other thoughts at bay until youre ready to bring them back to focus. Remember to rehydrate.

VOLUME 24 ISSUE 7

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Officers and Directors

President: Leona Soto President-Elect: Rene Mansho Treasurer: Susan Lau Secretary: Dr. Kathy Ishimoto rectors: Angie Bugarin, Ann Freed, Judy Fomin and Lorraine Fukumae Di-

Committee Chairs:
SOROPTIMISTINTERNATIONAL OFCENTRALOAHU

Ann Freed: Program Rene Mansho: Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training: Forums/ Panels for awareness and advocacy, consistent with the Soroptimist Mission Jackie Pactol and Angie Bugarin: Public Awareness and Newsletter : Rene Tokunaga and Lyn Lurbe: Violet Richardson Awards and Reception Lorraine Fukumae: Fundraising Judy Fomin and Ellen Kazama: Membership Lorraine Fukumae and Marion Poirier: Leeward Shelter Rene Mansho and Lou Marcelo: Adopt-A-School Marilyn Lee and Rene Mansho: SICO High School Scholarship Jackie Pactol and Ellen Kazama: Lei Ilima Girls Club Lou Marcelo and Angie Bugarin: Career/ College Fair for Women/High School students Angie Bugarin: Bobby Benson Center Rene Mansho: Ehime Maru Clean Up

POBox893102 MililaniHI967893102
email: leonasoto@aol.com Address for President Leona Soto

TheBestforWomen

www.soroptimist. org

Soroptimist Pledge I Pledge allegiance to Soroptimism and to the ideals for which it stands, The Sincerity of Friendship, The Joy of Achievement, The Dignity of Service, The Integrity of Profession, The Love of Country. I will put forth my greatest effort to promote, uphold and defend these ideals for a larger fellowship in home, in society, in business, for country and for God.

Soroptimist Grace For the bread upon the board, Make us truly thankful, Lord. For each one meeting here Whom our hearts hold close and dear, For this day O Lord above Now accept our grateful love. Amen