Since 1984...
Sharon Narimatsu, who worked for City Hall and Shirleyanne Chew, then with Hawaiian Telephone Company, met at a reception and found they had common concerns as professional women. Inspired by this chance meeting, the two agreed that women in government and business careers needed a forum to network.
At their invitation, 15 women leaders from government and business gathered at the Amfac Tower on June 27, 1984, to brainstorm about such an organization, which they strongly agreed was important. They decided the group would provide a network among decision-makers in the public and private sectors, and be a forum for them to share ideas, information, and support. They agreed it would be neither political nor fund-raising in nature.
Thus, their chance meeting gave birth to the Organization of Women Leaders, a networking group that shares information and offers support among professional women in the community. On August 3, 1984, officers were elected. The first membership directory listed 56 women.
Past Presidents
1985 Sharon Narimatsu 1986 Shirleyanne Chew 2023 Cheryl Cross
1987 Barbara Marumoto 1988 Linda “Fritz” McKenzie 2024 Ananda Ferreira
1989 Suzanne Peterson 1990 Ramona Mullahey
1991 Faith Evans 1992 Gitta Covey
1993 Pauline Namuo 1994 Joyce Ingram-Chinn
1995 Carol Costa 1996 Stephanie Saito
1997 Jeanette Takamura 1998 Claire Cooper
1999 Sharon Narimatsu 2000 Karen Nakamura
2001 Peggy Hong 2002 Kelly Walsh
2003 Pearl Imada-Iboshi 2004 Michelle Kakazu
2005 Janice Nielsen 2006 Barbra Pleadwell
2007 Shelley Wilson 2008 Linda Dias
2009 Pamela Martin 2010 Linda Nakamura
2011 Mimi Beams 2012 Stacia Murray
2013 Tracie Young 2014 Kathleen Perkins
2015 Julie Inouye 2016 Kate Braden
2017 Julie Arigo 2018 Valerie Schmidt 2019 Pam Harms 2020 Laura Lott 2021 Renee Green 2022 Cecilia Fong