Empowering Girls Initiative
Equality is a fundamental human right that’s critical in order to have a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Still, girls and women worldwide face inequities in areas including health and education, and they experience significant violence and disproportionate poverty. Rotary encourages clubs and districts to prioritize projects that improve the health, well-being, education, and economic security of girls in their communities and around the world. Develop a club-based initiative, a district grant, or a global grant that engages members of your community in a project that will protect and empower girls. Work to increase equity by ensuring their access to resources that will improve their lives.
Sandy Matsui | Empowering Girls Ambassador
Sandy’s life as a Rotarian began 31 years when she became a proud member of the Rotary Club of Kane’ohe on the beautiful island of O’ahu. When she tried to join earlier, Rotary wasn’t quite ready for women yet so she once she became empowered to join, she has taken advantage of
the opportunities to serve. Her adventures include serving as District Governor of D5000 (Hawaii) 2021-22, Asst. Governor, Secretary, District Trainer, Club President and continues to be active in her Club and District. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and Polio Plus Society member and has been active in the Zone on committees including Farwest PETs, Southwest PETs, Zone Institute, and the BIg West Breakfast just held at the RI Convention in Melbourne.
In addition to Sandy’s Rotary life, she is married to Gerry, is mom to two boys Gerand and GeRysand and doggie mom to two mini dachshund girls Khaleesi and Angel. She even has a fulltime job as a faculty member at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she oversees the student media programs.
These are exciting times in Rotary and there is no shortage of inspiring examples of Rotary’s work to empower women and girls. Together, let’s Serve with Aloha to Create Hope in the World.
Josephine (Jo) Crenshaw | Empowering Girls Ambassador
Jo has been a member of the Rotary Club of Oregon City since 1994. She served as President of the club in 2000-01. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. She served on her club’s major fundraising team, chairing the Texas Hold’em Fundraiser for several years. She also served on the International Services team. She has traveled as part of a Friendship Study Exchange to South Africa, with D5100. Jo served as District 5100 Governor in 2020-2021.
Born in Tennessee, she grew up in Chicago, has lived in Northern California, Washington, DC, Evanston, Illinois and now in the Portland, Oregon area. Jo obtained her BS in Business and Marketing from California State University. She has worked in both industries and started her own business in 1991.
Jo is married to John and they live in the east county area of Oregon City, OR. She has two sons and five grandchildren. She is working on her bucket list, which includes visiting all continents of the world.