To honor the memory of its founding partner, Barbra An Pleadwell, Hastings & Pleadwell, LLC (H&P), has established two funds in her name—a multi-year scholarship for college-bound women through the Zonta Club of Hilo and a library fund for YWCA O‘ahu’s Fernhurst facility which supports women transitioning from prison.
Pleadwell died March 22, 2021; she was 50.
The multi-year scholarship will benefit college-bound girls or women on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island. The scholarship will give preference to applicants focused on women’s studies or communication.
The YWCA’s Fernhurst provides transitional housing for women impacted by the criminal justice system. The library’s aim will be to provide them with carefully chosen books to help their self-growth and build knowledge of current affairs. Pleadwell, a former chair of the YWCA board and dedicated volunteer, was a staunch advocate for the women at Fernhurst.
To contribute to the funds:
- Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarship Fund donations can be made through Zonta Club of Hilo website at https://www.zontahilo.org/. Under the “Donate” button, please note the donation is in memory of Barbra Pleadwell.
- Barbra An Pleadwell Fernhurst library fund, YWCA O‘ahu donations can be made at https://www.ywcaoahu.org/. Please note it is for Fernhurst library.
Alternately, checks payable to the Zonta Club of Hilo or YWCA O‘ahu can be sent to Hastings & Pleadwell, 2316C Ainakahele Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720.
“Barbra was a strong women’s advocate, dedicated to mentoring young women and supporting women looking for a second chance,” said her partner, Barbara Hastings. “the scholarship and library funds allow us to honor her memory in years to come by supporting the causes she believed in.”
Pleadwell supported the YWCA, the Organization of Women Leaders and the Junior League of Honolulu (JLH). With JLH, she helped launch the HerStory conference, then worked with Hawaii Business Magazine to create Wahine Forum, a women’s business conference.
Among the first professionals profiled in Hawaii Business’ “Twenty for the Next 20,” she was also in the first group honored by Pacific Business News’ “Forty Under 40.” She and partner Barbara Hastings received the Small Business Administration’s Women in Business Champion Award for Hawaii and Region IX in 2007. In 2011, Pleadwell received OWL’s Leader of the Year award.
Pleadwell grew up on Guam, the third generation of her family to live in the U.S. Territory. She came to Honolulu for higher education and stayed. She earned degrees with Chaminade University of Honolulu and University of Hawaii at Manoa. She leaves behind her spouse Jayson Harper, and two daughters, Bella Grace Harper and Amelia Levy; her parents, Jeff Pleadwell and Nancy Jones, a sister, brother and several nieces and nephews.