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Big Dreams and Community Roots: Ruth Matsuura’s Commitment to Big Island Students in Celebration of National Women’s History Month
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ollege-bound Hawai‘i Island students have a leg up towards college, thanks to the vision of Dr. Ruth Matsuura and her commitment to the community she loves. When her husband died in 1997, Dr. Matsuura wanted to honor him. With his commitment to public service,
Dr. Matsuura with her scholarship recipients at HCF’s East Hawai‘i event.
her career as a pediatrician in the community, and their six children who’d attended Waiakea and Hilo High Schools, creating the Senator Richard M. & Dr. Ruth Matsuura Scholarship Fund came naturally. “Giving back to the community, that’s life,” said Dr. Matsuura. “My husband always said,
‘We only have what we have given.’”
husband and six children in 1971 after a decade of missionary service in India — is a living treasure, The scholarship inspiring the next supports students “Giving generation. “We do who graduate from back to the this in hopes that crosstown high school community, we can encourage rivals — Hilo and others in the Waiakea — and can that’s life.” community to demonstrate financial Dr. Matsuura invest in education,” need. she said. “That’s our future.” Dr. Matsuura — a private practice pediatrician who arrived in Hawai‘i with her
> Did you know: In 2015, HCF awarded over $767,000 in scholarships for Hawai‘i Island students from funds just like the one created by Richard M. and Dr. Ruth Matsuura, helping Hawai‘i students get the education they deserve.
Learn how it’s about y ou - HawaiiCommunity F oundation.or g /y o u