Dr. Donnis H. Thompson virtually founded
women’s collegiate athletics in Hawaii. She
was one of the individuals who inspired my
authorship of federal Title IX legislation by
highlighting the inequities in funding of women’s
collegiate sports. During her 30 years at
the University of Hawaii, Dr. Thompson pioneered
numerous health and athletic programs.
She served as Hawaii’s first woman
Superintendent of Education, was the first
Women’s Director of Athletics at the University
of Hawaii, and authored the innovative ‘‘Vision
of Excellence,’’ a 10-year blueprint for public
education. Dr. Thompson has been a state
and national leader in promoting girls and
women’s participation in sports and in promoting
civil rights.
Donnis Thompson is the recipient of the Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., National Outstanding
Service Award, a member of the University of
Hawaii Hall of Fame, and an Honor Fellow of
the National Association of Girls and Women
in Sports. April 15, 1981 was proclaimed as
‘‘Donnis Thompson Day’’ in the State of Hawaii.
Donnis is a dear friend and one of the
women whose opinion and advice I value
most highly. Today I celebrate her life of
achievement and the positive impact she has
had on improving opportunity for women in
Hawaii.
