Mayor Alan Arakawa, Council Chair Gladys Baisa (seated) and CSW Chair Barbara Potopowitz (2nd from right) congratulate the recipients of the 2014 “Women of Excellence” Awards. Honorees L-R: Alberta DeJetley, Sheri-Ann Daniels, Agnes Groff, and Paul Janes-Brown. CREDIT: County of Maui / Ryan Piros

By Staff Reports

(Maui) – Maui County’s Committee on the Status of Women celebrated Women’s History month by presenting the annual “Women of Excellence” awards on Thursday, March 27 in the County Council Chambers.

Recipients of the 2014 Women of Excellence awards were the following:

• Sheri-Ann Daniels – “Woman of Excellence Award.” Presented to a woman 21 years and older for being an exemplary role model, while championing a diverse number of causes in exhibiting impeccable character, courage and commitment.
• Alberta de Jetley – “Career Achievement Award.” Presented to a woman whose outstanding character, courage and commitment has made her an inspirational leader in achieving greatness in her career.
• Elizabeth Rosemary Betty Baker Breen Janes-Brown – “Honorary Historical Award.” Presented posthumously to an extraordinary woman who has left a legacy of bravery and indelible memories in her outstanding character, courage and commitment. Paul Janes-Brown accepted the award on behalf of his late wife.
• Agnes Groff – “Unsung Hero Award.” Presented to a woman who is often the behind-the-scenes dynamic-force going above-and-beyond in distinguished service and compassion in her commitment to character and courage.

Women’s history month is a national celebration of women, a time where the richness of women leaders and their accomplishments are honored. In accordance with the national women’s movement, this year’s award theme, “Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment,” honors the extraordinary and often unrecognized determination and tenacity of women. This formal recognition of women was started in 1980 by President Carter as a week-long celebration. In 1987 the U.S. Congress expanded it to the month of March.

Maui’s awardees stand side-by-side with 12 women recognized nationally this month, such as Anna Julia Haywood Cooper, an African American educator and author born into enslavement and considered one of the leading intellectuals of her time; Tammy Duckworth, a member of Congress and an Iraq War Veteran who became the first disabled woman to serve in the U.S. Congress; and Jaida Im, an advocate for women survivors of human trafficking, to name a few.

For information on the Maui County Committee on the Status of Women, visit  www.mauicounty.gov/csw.