Making A Difference Foundation has established a new scholarship honoring the late civil rights attorney Barbara Laners, a founding board member and longtime general counsel whose leadership helped guide the organization for more than two decades.
The Barbara Laners, Esquire Scholarship will provide financial assistance to students pursuing Juris Doctor degrees and preparing for careers in the legal profession. The foundation hopes the scholarship will help reduce financial barriers to legal education, particularly for students of color, while encouraging future attorneys to pursue careers in advocacy, leadership and community service.
Laners, who died Aug. 18, 2026, served on the foundation’s board of directors from its establishment in 2003. As its original general counsel, she provided legal guidance and helped shape the organization’s development into a nonprofit serving individuals and families throughout the Puget Sound region.
Her influence was also deeply personal for Making A Difference Foundation President and CEO Ahndrea L. Blue, who described Laners as an aunt, mentor and advocate whose encouragement helped guide her leadership.
“Barbara believed in me, advocated for me, and gave so much of herself to our family and to Making A Difference Foundation,” said Blue. “This scholarship honors her life, her career, and the important role she played in our organization. We hope it gives future lawyers an opportunity to pursue their education and use their knowledge, voices, and skills to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Beyond her work with the foundation, Laners was a civil rights attorney, community advocate, activist and mentor who dedicated much of her career to advancing justice and expanding opportunities for underserved and underrepresented communities.
Her legal expertise and commitment to public service helped establish a foundation for the organization’s work in food assistance, housing support, scholarships, economic opportunity programs and community partnerships.
According to Making A Difference Foundation, its programs and initiatives have helped direct $108 million into Washington communities over the past decade. The organization credits Laners’ leadership and counsel as part of its development and continued growth.
Following her death in August, Blue reflected on Laners’ role in helping build the organization from its earliest days.
“Barbara was more than our General Counsel—she was one of the architects of this organization,” said Blue. “Her wisdom, courage, and unwavering belief in justice helped guide every stage of our growth. We would not be who we are today without her. Her legacy will continue to live in every life we touch.”
Tricia Smiley, president of the foundation’s board of directors, also recognized Laners’ influence on the organization’s mission and its approach to serving the community.
“Barbara was a force of integrity, compassion, and strength. She challenged us to think bigger, serve deeper, and always lead with purpose. Her impact on this organization and on the communities we serve is immeasurable. We are forever grateful for her leadership and friendship.”
Through the scholarship, the foundation aims to carry forward Laners’ commitment to justice and mentorship by supporting students seeking to enter the legal profession.
The initiative also reflects the organization’s broader goal of expanding educational opportunities and encouraging greater representation among attorneys, particularly for individuals from communities that have historically faced barriers to legal education.
For Making A Difference Foundation, the scholarship represents both a tribute to one of its founding leaders and an investment in future attorneys who may continue her work advocating for justice and serving their communities.
