Zonta Club of Hilo supports two scholarships and five awards:
- Young Women in Leadership Award
- Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarship
- Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarship
- Women in Business Leadership Award
- Women in STEM Award
- Rose Award of Excellence
- Pay it Forward Microgrant
Scholarship & Awards Flyer
• Download Scholarship & Awards Flyer (PDF)
Young Women in Leadership Award
The Young Women in Leadership Award encourages young women to participate in leadership positions by recognizing the candidate’s commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements, and a dedication to building a better world for women and girls through service and advocacy.
Open to high school and college students aged 16-19 (as of April 1 of the deadline year), this award encourages young women to pursue careers or seek leadership positions in public policy making, government, and volunteer organizations and to further their education with these aims in view.
The recipient of Zonta Club of Hilo’s Young Women in Leadership Award is automatically entered for additional scholarships at the Zonta District and International levels.
Deadline to submit: February 1
• Download Young Women in Leadership Award Application (PDF)
• Download Young Women in Leadership Award Description (PDF)
• Download Young Women in Leadership Award Flyer (PDF)
Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarship
The Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarships are for female Hawai’i Island or O’ahu residents who are currently enrolled as full-time students in college/university or high school seniors. Preference is given to Women’s Studies and/or Communications majors who demonstrate financial need.
2022 was the first year this scholarship was offered, thanks to donations made in memory of Ms. Pleadwell.
This scholarship is ONLY available at the Zonta Club of Hilo level.
Deadline to submit: March 1
• Download Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarship Application (PDF)
• Download Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarship Flyer (PDF)
Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarship
The Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarships are for women who demonstrate interest in continuing their nursing studies toward an advanced degree or leadership track.
Open to women of any age, students must currently be enrolled full-time in the first year of a nursing degree program at UHH or HCC with an above-average record in scholastic standing (3.0 or better GPA) and who show a financial need.
This scholarship is ONLY available at the Zonta Club of Hilo level.
Deadline to submit: April 1
• Download Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarship Application (PDF)
• Download Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarship Flyer (PDF)
Women in Business Leadership Award
The Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award celebrates excellence and recognizes outstanding achievements by women between 18-35 years of age who are driving innovation and creating an impact in the business world.
This prestigious award honors exceptional leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, ethical conduct, and significant contributions while addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice.
The recipient of Zonta Club of Hilo’s Women in Business Leadership Award is automatically entered for additional awards at the Zonta District and International levels.
Deadline to submit: April 15
• PENDING: Download Women in Business Leadership Award Application (PDF)
• PENDING: Download Women in Business Leadership Award Description (PDF)
• PENDING: Download Women in Business Leadership Award Flyer (PDF)
Women in STEM Award
The Zonta Women in STEM Award uplifts innovation and celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of women between 18-35 years of age in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and acknowledges their groundbreaking research, pioneering discoveries, and/or exemplary contributions to advancing knowledge and innovation in a STEM field.
By recognizing and supporting these exceptional women, Zonta aims to inspire future generations and foster inclusivity and diversity in the world of STEM.
The recipient of Zonta Club of Hilo’s Women in STEM Award is automatically entered for additional awards at the Zonta District and International levels.
Deadline to submit: May 1
• PENDING: Download Women in STEM Award Application (PDF)
• PENDING: Download Women in STEM Award Description (PDF)
• PENDING: Download Women in STEM Award Flyer (PDF)
Rose Award of Excellence
The Zonta Club of Hilo established the Rose Award of Excellence in 2004 to recognize women in our community, or connected to our community, who have made a significant impact on the lives of others through their employment, volunteer activities, and associations. The honor is presented to coincide with International Women’s Day. Nominations are sought from within the Club. The awardee need not be a Zonta member. The biennial award (non-monetary) is given on even years.
Pay It Forward Microgrant for Women Entrepreneurs
Zonta International – Amelia Earhart Fellowship ($10,000)
The Amelia Earhart Fellowship was established in 1938 in honor of famed pilot and Zontian Amelia Earhart. The US$10,000 Fellowship is awarded annually to up to 30 women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. It may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields.
Since the program’s inception in 1938, Zonta has awarded 1,764 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totaling more than US$11.9 million, to 1,335 women from 79 countries. Fellows have gone on to become astronauts, aerospace engineers, astronomers, professors, geologists, business owners, heads of companies, even Secretary of the US Air Force.
Four 2025 scholarship and award winners received certificates and checks from the Zonta Club of Hilo at our June 9, 2025 monthly membership meeting. From left to right: Fiona Eddy, Laura Mendoza, Kennedy Moniz, Lehani Coloma.
$20,000 in 2025 Scholarships & Awards
“The Zonta Club of Hilo is thrilled to award $20,000 in scholarships to 10 women for 2025,” says club president Laurie Higashi. “Chartered on August 8, 1950, our club is celebrating 75 years of making a difference on Hawai’i Island.”
The Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarship recipients are Laura Mendoza ($2,500) and Kennedy Moniz ($2,500).
The Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarship recipients from University of Hawai‘i at Hilo are Chantel Molina ($2,000) and Erin Standage ($2,000).
The Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarship recipients from Hawai‘i Community College are Leimomi Ahina ($2,000) and Franziska Bass ($2,000).
The Young Woman in Leadership Award recipients are Fiona Eddy ($2,000) and Lehani Coloma ($1,000).
The Women in Business Leadership Award recipient is Jade Yamada ($2,000), and the Women in STEM Award recipient is Danielle Bartz ($2,000).
Eddy, Yamaha, and Bartz have been advanced from the club level to compete for additional awards and scholarships at the district and international levels of Zonta.
Zonta Club of Hilo’s mission is to build a better world for women and girls. To support the club’s charitable foundation in providing future scholarships, visit https://www.zontahilo.org/donate/