Hawaii Scholarship Honors Trailblazer Who Championed Women

A scholarship created to honor a woman who broke barriers in Hawaii's business world is giving female students the chance to follow in her footsteps.

The Zonta Club of Hilo is now accepting applications for the 2026 Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarship, which awards two women $2,500 each to pursue their education. The scholarship is open to Hawaii Island and Oahu women enrolled full-time in college or university programs, plus high school seniors ready to start their journey.

Barbara An Pleadwell wasn't just successful. She was a trailblazer who co-founded the public relations firm Hastings & Pleadwell and became one of Hawaii's most respected business leaders.

Her achievements speak volumes about what's possible when someone commits to excellence. Hawaii Business magazine featured her in "Twenty for the Next 30," recognizing her as a leader shaping the state's future. Pacific Business News named her to its inaugural "Forty Under 40" list.

In 2007, she and her business partner Barbara Hastings received the U.S. Small Business Administration Women in Business Champion Award for Hawaii and the entire Pacific Region IX. But her real legacy lives in the women she mentored and encouraged along the way.

The scholarship prioritizes students studying women's studies or communications, fields where Pleadwell made her mark. Financial need is a key consideration because opening doors for those who need them most mattered deeply to Pleadwell.

Applicants share their academic interests, career plans after graduation, and community service activities. The application asks about extracurricular interests and hobbies too, recognizing that well-rounded students bring unique perspectives to their fields.

The Ripple Effect

This scholarship does more than help two students pay tuition. It continues Pleadwell's mission of creating opportunities for women who might otherwise struggle to reach their goals.

Since its first award in 2022, the memorial scholarship has supported women seeking education and second chances. Each recipient carries forward the spirit of a woman who believed in lifting others up.

"We encourage female students of all ages to apply for this memorial scholarship," said Zonta Club of Hilo President Laurie Higashi. Her words reflect an important truth: education has no age limit, and it's never too late to pursue your dreams.

The Zonta Club of Hilo belongs to Zonta International, a nonprofit dedicated to building a better world for women and girls. The club offers additional scholarships beyond the Pleadwell award, multiplying opportunities for local women.

Applications close March 1, giving interested students time to gather materials and share their stories. For women ready to write their next chapter, this scholarship offers both financial support and connection to a legacy of excellence.