District 1
Area 2
Charter 0128 (1934)

Advancing the Status of Women Worldwide

What is Zonta?

Zonta International is a worldwide organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women.

What does Our Local Club Do?

Zonta Club of Northampton Area has been in existence since 1934, dedicated to the mission of improving the status of women locally and internationally. Over the years we have been involved in various programs to eliminate domestic violence including Safe Passage and Grace House, provided scholarships, produced the "Women in Power" Conferences, and have been working in partnership with Jessie's House to mentor the residents and participate in activities for the resident children and moms. Recently we hosted a public forum that promoted the ratification of CEDAW, ensuring an end to discrimination against women. We sponsored, with other area Zonta clubs, a conference on "Domestic Violence and the Workplace" in October 2005.

What are some of the Zonta Club of Northampton Area's local service projects?

The Northampton Area Zonta Club undertakes projects that benefit the local homeless shelter for families, battered women's shelter, family service organizations. and food banks. As an example, one fund-raiser in 1996 -- Comic Capers --was held in conjunction with the Words and Pictures Museum to benefit Parents and Children in Transition (PACT). In 1997, Comic Capers benefited the Hampshire Regional YMCA's Family Center Campaign. In 1998, The Best Medicine: an Evening of Dining and Laughter with Gina Barreca raised over $6,000 for RENEW, a local grassroots organization that provided support for women with gynecological cancers. This money became part of the Susan C. Botfield/RENEW-Zonta Fund of the Cancer Connection, funding programs to support women with ovarian cancer.

In the fall of 1999, we started making purple ribbon pins with a yellow rose, to bring attention to issues of domestic violence, and hosted a  meeting of area Zontians with social workers who were visiting from Japan to learn how our legal system deals with violence against women and children.

We have supported a number of local non-profit service organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Jessie's House, Safe Passage, and the Men's Resource Center, as well as Zonta International's service projects. From 1993 to 2001, we held annual "Women & Power" Conferences, in conjunction with International Women's Day. These conferences enabled local women to attend seminars and workshops on a variety of topics related to the status of women.

This year we are again fielding a team of walkers for the Relay for Life for breast cancer research (in 2005 we raised almost $1,400); volunteered at the Northampton stop-over for the bikers participating in the Red Ribbon Ride for AIDS; and participated in the Men's Walk to End Abuse sponsored by the Men's Resource Center for Change. We are also part of the Hilltown Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

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What are some of the Zonta International service projects?

Zonta International supports and administrates several different international service projects and/programs. Each biennium Zonta International sponsors international programs in association with agencies of the United Nations that work to advance the status of women. Most of the programs are in developing nations and are selected by the Zonta International Board and approved by the Zonta International membership. To learn more about Zonta International's International Service Projects for the current and past bienniums visit the Zonta International Web Site for at www.zonta.org

Zonta International also administers several international scholarship programs including: the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program which provides post-graduate fellowships to women in the fields of aeronautics and aeronautical engineering; the Jane M. Klausman Scholarship Program which provides college scholarships to women in business; and the Young Women in Public Affairs which offers recognition and scholarships on the district and international level for outstanding young women who are making a difference in their world through service.

In addition many Zonta clubs sponsor Z and Golden Z Club Programs that provide mentoring and support for young high school and college aged women. Additional information regarding these and other Zonta International Programs can be found on the Zonta International website at www.zonta.org.

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When and where does the Northampton Area club meet?

Our Club meets the second Wednesday of every month (except July and August), at 6:00 p.m. (social hour at 5:30). We have been meeting at Mulino's Restaurant in downtown Northampton. Check the newsletter for details of the next meeting, including the meeting location.

Am I eligible for Zonta membership?

Membership is Zonta International is by club invitation to individuals working in a decision-making capacity at least 50% of a normal workweek.

How much time does Zonta membership take?

Zonta clubs are service clubs and each club votes on local service projects and fundraising activities. Zonta members are asked to attend monthly club and committee meetings, and to participate in club projects. In addition opportunities exist to attend one-day annual workshops, two-day annual district conferences and a week-long biennial international convention. The Zonta International Convention for 2006 is in Melbourne Australia the last week in June; the 2008 convention will be in Rotterdam.

The monthly meetings for our club are generally 2-1/2 hours in length (including meal), committee meetings 1 to 1-1/2 hours.

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Who's Who in the Zonta Club of Northampton Area?

Officers and Directors
2008-2010

President:	Verna Frasca
Vice President:	Megan Butow
Treasurer:	Seren Derin
Secretary:	Joyce Twarog
Directors:	Jayma Hall, Donna Sroka, and Judy Luddy

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How do I find out more?

To find our more about the Zonta Club of Northampton Area contact: northampton@zontadistrict1.org.