Note: This is part of my Weekly Wednesday AQ Wisdom special series. To see other posts in the series, click on the Best Bets tab at the top of any page here and scroll down to the “AQ McElrath” section.
The Ah Quon McElrath Fund for Economic and Social Justice
Established February 28, 2009
Purpose:
To fund an ILWU educational program for the purpose of “educating member, leaders, and others in the areas of political action, economic structural changes, globalization, equality, and democracy, and how they are affected by employers with whom they negotiate and by occurrences throughout the world” (as described by Ah Quon McElrath herself on 7/14/08).
Tax-Deductible Contributions:
Contributions to the AQ Fund may be made to the Hawaii Labor Heritage Council, a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization, whose mission is to build an understanding of labor in Hawaii through education, culture and art. The Hawaii Labor Heritage Council has collaborated with the ILWU on other projects, notably the Pablo O’Higgins mural restoration, and is familiar with Ah Quon’s work and what she stood for. Affiliation with the Council offers the advantage that contributions are tax-deductible. Please make your checks to Hawaii Labor Heritage Council, with a designation to the Ah Quon McElrath Fund, and mail to: ILWU Local 142, 451 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, HI 96814.
Fund Administration:
In collaboration with the Hawaii Labor Heritage Council, a group of seven individuals will be selected to oversee the Fund as it relates to:
- establishing funding guidelines;
- reviewing and approving funding requests; and
- making decisions about the long-term viability of the Fund.
The initial committee will include:
- a representative from the Hawaii Labor Heritage Council;
- a representative from the ILWU Local 142 with close ties to the membership;
- Gail Long or Brett McElrath, representing Ah Quon‘s family;
- Chris Conybeare;
- Lowell Chun-Hoon;
- Gene Vrana; and
- Claire Shimabukuro.
Gail Long, with assistance from the ILWU, will be responsible for tracking income and expenditures and making annual reports to the Council.
As Ah Quon contemplated her mortality, she understood that some would want a way to remember her upon her passing. The Ah Quon McElrath Fund for Economic and Social Justice is one vehicle to honor AQ for her many contributions to our community. Even more than your donations, however, Ah Quon would want you to continue her legacy by taking up the struggle for economic and social justice with you action. That would be your greatest tribute to the memory of Ah Quon McElrath.
Mahalo!
