Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

The president of American Women's Group Trefina Asiedu (in red), with members of this year's executive, from Left: Past president Marcia Francis; Joy McHugh - treasurer; Jenny Blancaflor -secretary; Jackie Dorsey - 2nd. vice president; Janet Heg - honorary chairman representing Ambassador LaGrange Johnson; Hilda Kawas - hospitality; Dawn Woodstock - 1st vice president; Leslie Wan - corresponding secretary and Debbie Shills. The AWG kicked off its new year of activities last Thursday at the residence of the United States Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson, Long Lane Stony Hill. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Last Thursday saw the full complement of the American Women's Group (AWG), kicking off their new administrative year at the Stony Hill residence of U.S. Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson. They came together to report on the successes of the past year and make plans for the present.

The AWG has a proud history of assisting schools with well - needed equipment and students with tuition and other fees.

Representing Mrs. LaGrange Jonhson who was out of the country, Janet Heg of the United States embassy, welcomed everyone to the residence and accepted the group's gift on behalf of the ambassador.

Treasurer Joy McHugh reported that over $700,000 in scholarships, school supplies, lunch, book vouchers as well as equipment has been disbursed for the start of the current school year. The AWG to date has over two and a half million dollars in their accounts.

Also making a report was Jackie Dorsey, head of the scholarships committee. She announced that a new scholarship has been set up in honour of the late Sister Bernadine Lym of St. Martin D'Porres. The first went to Latoya Young a straight A student of the institution now enrolled at Papine High School.

Excelled at home and abroad

Guest speaker, Jean Lowrie-Chin, noted public relations practitioner, lauded the group's work and urged them to continue. She chronicled a number of areas in which Jamaicans had excelled at home and abroad and how we continue to add to the melting pot of cultures globally while welcoming other nationals into our home. In encouraging the AWG, she said, "Philanthropy is not an option, it is a way of life."

The AWG has two major fund-raising events each year - a wine and cheese party in November and the Valentine's Day ball in February.

Throughout the world, wherever groups of expatriate wives reside, they come together under the AWG umbrella to fellowship, assimilate the new culture while doing good for their adopted countries. In Jamaica, the AWG includes women not only from the United States of America but a wide range of nationalities and Jamaican women work right along with them.