Page 17 - MidWeek - May 24, 2023

As a result of being a moth- ng er, she notes that she’s grown er both personally and profes-
ar came to Hawaiʻi from the Philippines on an East-West Cen-
(Left) Marivic Dar (center with sunglasses) engages in community projects that she is passionate about, like chairing a YWCA Leader Luncheon. PHOTO COURTESY MARIVIC DAR (Above) Su Shin (center) serves as the governance and nominating committee chair of Aloha United Way’s board of directors. PHOTO COURTESY SU SHIN
sionally.
“I remind myself daily that
To fellow mothers trying to balance a career and family, Shin encourages women to ask for help when needed.
your family, which echoes the messaging from American Lung Association in Hawaiʻi.
I have other special people in my life that are watching my actions and words, perhaps emulating what I say and do,” Ventula-Honda explains. “Therefore (I) try my best to be mindful of how I conduct myself and what I say.”
Regarding community work, Dar admits that she only wants to engage in projects she genuinely believes in.
better, more efficient manager who’s a pro at multi-tasking because I had lots of practice at home.”
my daughters and couldn’t imagine myself without ‘moth- er’ as one of my titles — the most important one.
“Find your village. Be OK with not being perfect,” Shin adds. “Last but not least, give yourself grace.”
The motto of the Outstand- ing Mother Awards is “making each breath count.”
Ventula-Honda is honored and humbled to be an award recipient.
“When you’re at home, be at home. Don’t think of your work, just enjoy the moment of bliss with you family,” Dar says.
The best advice Shin has ever received is to first take care of yourself in order to be in the best shape to care for
“Having the opportunity to be recognized for your busi- ness, community service and other awards is always a bless- ing,” Ventula-Honda says. “However, to be recognized for a role that I don’t expect or deserve to be honored for, it is more than a blessing. To be among an elite group of stellar women who balance their ca- reers, helping to make a posi- tive impact in the community and nurturing their families at the same time, is a privilege and beyond words.”
Ellie Ventula-Honda (second from left) has worked with various community organizations such as Susan G. Komen and Hawaiian Humane Society. PHOTO COURTESY ELLIE VENTULAHONDA
Dar admits she was pleas- antly surprised when discov- ering she had been selected for the Outstanding Mother Awards.
As the president and general manager of Hawaiian Telcom, Shin is proud of the role the company plays in bridging the digital divide in Hawaiʻi’s most unserved communities.
D
ter scholarship with Universi- ty of Hawaiʻi, where she later earned a master’s degree. She has been a financial adviser for 30 years, and about half of those were spent in manage- ment roles.
“When this happens, I be- come truly passionate and more energized,” Dar shares. “I was a stay-at-home mom when my kids were growing up because it made sense to us at that time. I know the phys- ical, mental, emotional and fi- nancial toll this caused me, and I can empathize with women and mothers who have less than me and also lack support.”
Her advice to those juggling motherhood as well as a career, is to be present.
“Professionally, I think be- ing a mother has made me a strong leader,” Shin continues. “My daughters are so different, and while raising them, I’ ve had to adjust my parenting and communications styles to suit the situation and the individu- al. This is a skill I continue to practice as a leader, colleague, partner, and, of course, moth- er.”
“Everything that we do, it takes effort, it takes breath,” explains Haro. “We want each breath to be intentional, to be (of) the cleanest air, the best health.”
MAY 24, 2023 MIDWEEK 17
Four Women Who Define The Modern-day Mother
FROM PAGE 16
“No one said that mother- hood would be easy — and it really isn’t — however, it is so rewarding when you see them grow into individuals that are truly much better versions of yourself,” she says.
“Remember to do what’s best for your family in a humbling and grateful way, and do the same as you would for your clients and community.”
Proceeds from the Outstanding Mother Awards event go toward American Lung Association in Ha- wai‘i’s educational, advocacy and research efforts.
One of the ways the organization supports the lo- cal community is via asthma management classes for youth. The American Lung Association in Hawai‘i works with schools, parents and health care providers to train school staff members to help students with asthma.
The American Lung Association in Hawai‘i also takes its advocacy efforts seriously and recently helped pass Senate Bill 975, which would regulate vaping, or electronic smoking, and taxing those individuals at equal levels as other tobacco.
Executive director Pedro Haro is proud of all the Outstanding Mother Awards honorees and is excited to celebrate them at the May 28 ceremony.
“We need to celebrate it,” Haro says of mothers in the workplace. “Women can be executives and be moms. It’s not one or the other.”
While tickets for the Outstanding Mothers Award ceremony are sold out, the community is invited to support the organization via donations. For more in- formation, visit at lung.org/oma-hawaii.
When she returned to the workforce, Dar sought out nonprofits
that served
“It feels surreal, maybe because to be recognized for something you naturally and unquestionably do is the high- est honor for a mother,” she says. “Motherhood made me experience what it is to love unconditionally.”
Whether it’s supporting those who are struggling to make ends meet or educating Hawaiʻi’s future leaders, Shin believes she has a responsibil- ity to do what she can in the community.
Tomotherstryingtomaster the balance between a career and motherhood, Ventula-Hon- da offers the following advice:
believes MarivicDar “giving
or Shin, her favorite part of being a mother is witnessing the evolu-
the needs of wom- en as she
F
tion of her two daughters.
back is paying it forward.” Her first major involvement was with the state Commis- sion on the Status of Women. She also served on the boards of the Girls Scouts of Hawaiʻi, the YWCA of Oʻahu and the Women’s Fund of Hawaiʻi, to name a few.
“The challenge now, as my children are now grown, is let- ting go and trusting their matu- rity, character and judgment,” Shin shares. “I find myself constantly impressed at how compassionate and capable they both are.”
For start-
ers, Shin
supports
her alma
mater,
McKin-
ley High
School, by serving on the board of its nonprofit foundation, and was also a Pālama Settlement board member. Additionally, Shin serves as the governance and nominating committee chair of Aloha United Way’s board of directors.
Dar has four children and calls motherhood “the most humbling experience.”
Shin realizes how mother- hood has changed her life in various ways.
“Motherhood changes you even if you don’t want to. It’s a force,” she says. “I believe it is the greatest miracle. I became a
“It’s made me more humble, selfless, empathetic, patient and thoughtful,” Shin says. “I couldn’t imagine life without
Su Shin
h