What is Zonta?

Zonta’s Mission Zonta International is an international service organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women through service and advocacy

The Meaning of “Zonta” Not an acronym Lakota Sioux Indian Word Means Honest and Trustworthy Logo represents radiance, banding together, and shelter or support

History March 1919 Zonta Founded in Buffalo, NY November 1919 Confederation of nine clubs, including Detroit 1929 Ottawa Club established 1930 Became Zonta International with Vienna, Austria

Guiding Principles Women’s rights are human rights Advancing the status of women improves society as a whole The key to change is the combination of service and advocacy International friendship encourages understanding and peace in the world

Long History of Service 1923 Financial contributions to support 115,000 orphans in Turkey 1928 Equal education for girls 1938 Amelia Earhart Fellowships 1944 Opposed gender discrimination in employment 1946 Consultative status with UN

Today 68 countries 31 Districts, 2 Regions 1,250 clubs 33,000 members HQ in Chicago

Why Zonta in 2009? 70 % of world’s 1.3 billion poor are women 2/3 of world’s illiterate adults are women 60 million women “missing” due to violence of gender discrimination Trafficking in women is a lucrative global industry

Who Are Zontians? People committed to our mission Non-partisan and non-sectarian Decision makers in business and professions Primarily women Classified for diversity From late 20’s to 100+ High school students in Z clubs College students in Golden Z clubs

Service Project THE ZONTIAN, January, 1935 continued: Proposal by Ann Arbor Club: Standards by which all Zonta Service work [should] be measured, i.e.: -a project should have the element of permanence - it should be in the nature of rehabilitation -it should have possibilites for growth -it should attain measurable results -should fill a definite community need

International Service Anti-tetanus and Health Education for Women in rural Afghanistan—AIL/UNICEF Anti-Trafficking in Bosnia-Herzegovina—STAR Network Micro Credit project for HIV/Aids affected women in Niger—CARE International ZISVAW-Preventing Violence Against Women-- UNIFEM

International Service Amelia Earhart Fellowships Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships Young Women in Public Affairs Awards

Local Service Zonta Club of Ottawa Human Trafficking – PACT- Ottawa – December 2 New focus on immigrants and credentials. Scholarships: Higher Education Scholarship / Arts Awards / Youth Awards

Structure Biennial Convention – San Antonio, Texas International Board Foundation HQ - Chicago Districts – [District 2] Areas – [ Area 4] Clubs

2009/2011 Program Financial support Fundraising Jams and Jellies Bequests Investments New Program Professional Women and Immigrants Red Tape and Worries…

Zonta Working together to make a better world