Downtown Bettendorf Business Women offer scholarships

The Downtown Bettendorf Business Women (DBBW) organization is offering a $500 scholarship to one female student in the Class of 2022 at both Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley high schools. 

The scholarship honors the late Bettendorf Alderman Debe LaMar. Ms. LaMar, who died in 2018, served five terms on the city council under three different mayors. 

She exemplified the highest ideals of public service, loved all things art, and encouraged women everywhere to dream big. There is a memorial to her at Lincoln Park in Bettendorf.

Students interested in the scholarship can apply here. Applications must be submitted by April 1. Requirements include a statement of no more than 300 words and a letter of recommendation. The top candidates will be interviewed by a DBBW committee.

The DBBW was founded in 2018 to promote downtown businesses with women in leadership roles. The group funds the scholarship with proceeds from its annual sale of Christmas ornaments that feature a scene from downtown Bettendorf. For more information, contact Jan Touney at jtouney@gmail.com.