PUHI — Special guest Hawaiian Airlines pilot Crissy Marti appeared on Wednesday night in honor of Amelia Earhart Day that is observed on Jan. 11, not the Red Carpet Gala hosted by the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i at the Hawai‘i Community Players “The Gin Game” at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse.
“Crissy was introduced by Zontian Cyndi Ayonon, the Christmas Fund chair, during the ‘social hour’ before the play started,” said Edie Ignacio Neumiller of the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i. “Maryanne Kusaka, a former Zontian, also helped with the introduction of the Hawaiian Airlines pilot who was described by Ayonon as “Kaua‘i’s Amelia Earhart pilot” whose history of getting into her dream career of flying for Hawaiian started when Crissy was 5 years old.”
Crissy’s history brings up a Zonta International opportunity, the Amelia Earhart Fellowship that states, women make up around 25 percent of the workforce in the aerospace industry, and in an effort to carry out its mission that women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions, or an equal basis with men, the fellowship that was established in 1938 is available.
The $10,000 fellowship is awarded annually to up to 30 women pursuing Ph.D/doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. The fellowship may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields.
The Red Carpet Gala on Wednesday was only the second time the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i has partnered with the Hawai‘i Community Players to offer a night on the town to benefit the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i scholarships.
Robbie Melton, the Zonta Fundraising Chair, describes the evening as a night out on the town with fashion, elegant desserts, champagne and gold swag bags.
“Dr. Doug Duvachelle provided acoustic music before the show,” Melton said. “Special dessert donations were created by Orly’s Patisserie, Aunty Lilikoi, Kaua‘i Bakery, and Zonta members.”
Additionally, a dozen local businesses donated items for the gold swag bags intended for the more than four dozen attendees.
“All of the proceeds from the Red Carpet Gala will go toward The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation scholarship fund,” Melton said. “Last year, a total of $12,000 in scholarships were given to five young women on Kaua‘i to attend college.”
Congratulations !
Amelia Earhart once stated, “Some of us have great runways built for us. If you have one, take off! But if you don’t have one, realize that it is your responsibility to grab a shovel and build one for yourself and for those who will follow after.”