Brandee Menino to receive award from Zonta Club of Hilo

The Zonta Club of Hilo presents its Rose Award of Excellence to Brandee Menino at a fundraising dinner in her honor on Monday, March 13, 2023. The gala event takes place at Hilo Hawaiian’s Moku‘ola Ballroom starting at 5:00 pm with no-host cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by dinner and an awards program.

“I am so pleased that we are able to present the Rose Award to Brandee Menino,” said club president Julie Engelhardt. “Her dedication to the betterment of our community is inspirational and far reaching. She continues to work within organizations that make meaningful impacts on the lives of others and deserves the recognition. We are thrilled to recognize this influential and inspirational woman for her superlative service.”

“I am truly honored to be recognized by the Zonta Club of Hilo,” said Menino. “I strongly believe in Zonta‘s mission and have witnessed its benefits in the advancement of women and girls in our community. Like Zonta, HOPE Services Hawaii invests in women through service and advocacy.”

“We specifically support women transitioning back into our community from incarceration and empower houseless women to safer shelter, putting them on a pathway to securing a house they can call home,” said Menino. “With 70% of houseless families in our community led by single women, our mission is to empower them.  Empowered moms are the cornerstones of thriving communities,” said Menino.

Since 2004, the Zonta Club of Hilo has recognized outstanding women who have helped shape our community in order to provide visible examples for tomorrow’s women leaders. Funds raised at the dinner and auction support Zonta Club of Hilo Foundation scholarships given to women pursuing higher education, as well as Pay-it-Forward micro-grants to local women-owned businesses.