Name: Ruth Ono
Age: 61
Position: Chair, Aloha United Way
First job: Pineapple cannery
Favorite pastimes: Swimming, reading biographies, time with grandsons

Breaking new ground at AUW

Ruth Ono is the first woman to chair the Aloha United Way in the 78-year history of the nonprofit organization.

"Women are becoming more visible in leadership roles in the community," Ono said. "I look forward to many new innovative changes that will lead to a better quality of living for all of us."

She joined Queens Hospital almost 34 years ago and in March 1964 became assistant administrator. Ono currently is vice president for the Queens Health System.

Ono earned a bachelor's degree in information and computer sciences and a master's degree in public health administration from the University of California at Los Angeles. She also has a doctorate in gerontology from Toho University of Japan.

Aloha United Way includes more than 10,000 volunteers who last year raised more than $14.5 million to support 65 health and human service agency programs.

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By Jerry Tune, Star-Bulletin