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), 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, 2025
• 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, 2025
• 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, 2025
• Download UHH Nursing Degree Scholarship Application (PDF)
• Download HCC 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, 2025
• Download Women in Business Leadership Award Application (PDF)
• Download Women in Business Leadership Award Description (PDF)
• 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, 2025
• Download Women in STEM Award Application (PDF)
• Download Women in STEM Award Description (PDF)
• 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 Fellowships are awarded annually to up to 35 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. Women of any nationality pursuing a Ph.D./doctoral degree who demonstrate a superior academic record conducting research applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences are eligible.
Four of six 2024 nursing scholarship award winners received checks from the Zonta Club of Hilo on July 8, 2024. From left to right: Club President Julie Tulang, Yuwei Wang. Ericka Paiva, Iliana Jose, Amanda Gill, and incoming Scholarship Chair Katherine Yano.
$15,400 in 2024 Scholarships & Awards
“The Zonta Club of HIlo is thrilled to award over $15,000 in scholarships to 8 women in 2024,” said Nina Buchanan, outgoing Zonta Club of Hilo Scholarship Chair. The top winners in public affairs and business categories have been advanced to compete for additional scholarships and awards at the district and International levels of Zonta.
Young Women in Public Affairs Award
- Maiyah Panis-Vuong ($2,200)
Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarship – UHH
- Amy Bye ($2,000)
- Amanda Gill ($2,000)
- Miriam Martinez ($2,000)
Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarship – HCC
- Iliana Jose ($2,000)
- Ericka Paiva ($2,000)
- Yuwei Wang ($2,000)
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
- Tehya Thome ($1,200)
Young Woman in Public Affairs Award recipient Maiyah Panis-Vuong was presented a check on May 13, 2024 by outgoing Scholarship Chair Nina Buchanan (left) and President Julie Tulang (right) of the Zonta Club of Hilo.