Spring 2023

Message from Governor Donna

District Updates

Club Updates

Members and Clubs are encouraged to share

this newsletter with supporters new and old!

Dear District 1 Zontians,

Happy Spring! Gardens are growing and so is District 1! We have not one, not two, but three new clubs in formation! Our venture into establishing a new type of club that meets virtually has interested people whose location or schedule does not fit into the traditional club model. We researched several e-Clubs that have been in existence around the world. Club presidents from Australia, Finland, and the United States shared new ways that their clubs meet and provide service, advocacy, and fundraising for educational awards. Our e-Club of Atlantic Northeast is being hosted by the Berkshire County Club They are welcoming the e-club members until we have 15 members to charter and then they will transition into the new club. We also are excited about two new traditional clubs being started in Connecticut and Rhode Island. We also have had new members joining our existing clubs.

We are holding informational sessions that have been recorded and are available for further events. The follow-up sessions on advocacy, education, and service will be available to those who would like more information, Please invite like-minded friends who want to build a better world for women and girls. Contact us at info@zontadistrict1.org for details and links to the sessions or recordings. We also want to hear your ideas about other district-wide trainings you are interested in. Let’s continue to pool our resources! 

 The last few months have been busy with Zonta meetings and trainings. Zonta gives us great opportunities for learning and doing.

District-wide, I was fortunate to be able to attend several clubs’ special events this spring honoring women during International Women’s month. I am inspired and encouraged by the work of our powerful and passionate members. This newsletter highlights some of the great achievements of our District Committees and Clubs. Please continue to share your stories and events!

Zontians worldwide attended the annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) March 5-17, held in person in NYC and with hundreds of workshops available online. I was able to attend in person and online. I mentioned in my last newsletter that I took the course Global Diplomacy with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). I have hosted a follow-up session with the other students to share more about Zonta and have colleagues ready to join our e-club.

Other upcoming events for learning and doing:

I’m looking forward to the biannual North American Inter-District Meeting (NAIDM) in Indianapolis, Indiana from June 30-July 2. This is the first time I have been able to attend and am excited to talk with other Zontians from all over the U.S. and Canada along with our International President​ Ute Scholz and the International Board and our ZI Liaison, Fernanda Gallo.  Register at www.zontanaidm.org// Please join us in person; let’s have a strong District 1 contingent at this event! 

Save the date and plan to come to this year’s District 1 Fall Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from Oct. 27 to Sunday, Oct 29, 2023. It's our first in-person District event since 2019!

It is wonderful that more people throughout the New England states and Nova Scotia, Canada want to be a part of our organization. Whether their ‘why’ is learning and doing, impacting lives globally and locally, making a lasting change now, or investing in the future for women and girls, Zonta has a place for everyone. Please help by doing your part in spreading the word! Build a better world for women and girls.

Donna Sroka, District 1 Governor

Governor 2022-2024, District 1 Zonta International

Advocacy: Political YES, Non-partisan, YES

“How can we do advocacy, I thought we were non-partisan?” Non-partisan means Zonta can’t be advocating for a candidate or a party. However, we can advocate for a position or a policy. Zonta USA Caucus developed this video help to illustrate the issue.  Click on the visual to the right to open.

Miriam Webster: Nonpartisan: free from party affiliation, bias, or designation

Advocacy Chair for CA

Carol Dobson

The Zonta Canada Caucus is comprised of an impressive group of Zontians who represent clubs from Nova Scotia to Ontario. One of the Caucus’ first endeavours is to create a letter to be circulated to Canadian Members of Parliament about child marriage. At the meeting on April 28, the final verbiage was approved.

The Caucus has identified a number of issues for our advocacy work:

1.  Child Marriage
2. Gender-Based Violence – within the past month, the report of the Mass Casualty Commission in Nova Scotia, following the horrendous events in Portapique/Colchester County in 2020, has been released so information on this report has been shared with the Caucus. (This was the largest mass shooting in our nation’s history AND has a deep-rooted gender-based violence foundation).
3. Human Trafficking – the Caucus is following current hearings by a federal committee investigating this issue.
4. Climate Change. Our Canadian Caucus chair is preparing a presentation for NADIM and has shared it with the Caucus.

The District 1 Nominating Committee,

Sandy Carroll, 413-822-2544 Sandy@BerkshireRealtors.org

Beatrice Schori, beatriceschori@eastlink.ca

Donna Clifford clifford.d22@gmail.com

Have you thought about taking the next step in your Zonta life? Would you like to learn more about leadership: public speaking, conducting meetings, governance, and decision-making? Work with diverse groups, build relationships with Zonta members from both Canada and the USA and develop strong

friendships with other Zonta leaders? We need women like you to step up and we ask you to consider expanding your service to the district level to grow your skills, connections and impact.

Please check out the full website page with details, call or email anyone of us to discuss the best role for you – and let us know if we can help make your Zonta service grow at the district level!

YWPA and JMK Scholarship

 Lorraine Bartlett

2023 Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA)

The District 1 Scholarship Committee met via Zoom on April 23^rd to review the 5 applications that were received. Zonta Clubs submitting YWPA applicants for review at the District level included Malden, Medford, Quaboag Valley and Northhampton, MA, and Concord, NH. The District 1 Scholarship Review Committee included Lorraine Bartlett (Chair), Dana Burton, and Kathryn Patterson. We unanimously agreed upon an applicant to be submitted to Zonta International Headquarters to be considered for an international YWPA award. Announcements of the recipients of the International award are due to be released by July 1st

2023 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship (JMK)

Application, materials and guidelines for the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship are available on the Zonta International website and on the District 1 website under the Resource Center tab. Clubs determine their own timeline for receipt of applications. If a club recipient is selected for consideration of an international award, the Application Cover Sheet for Clubs must be filled in before forwarding the application/materials for district/region evaluation. The deadline for submission of these documents for the JMK award to District 1 is August 15^th 2023.

2023 Women in Stem Scholarship

Information and reminders regarding the Zonta Women in STEM Scholarship have been sent to District 1 Zonta Club Presidents. I have heard from the Zonta of Bangor and the Zonta Club of Concord that they have each selected their STEM applicant to submit to District 1. Applications are due to local Zonta Clubs, with a single selection from all participating clubs submitted to District 1 by July 15. Zonta International must receive District selection by September 15 and will announce recipients in November 2023. Applicants are eligible for a $5000 award from the Zonta Foundation for Women. Zonta Clubs can also offer a Club level STEM scholarship if they are financially able to do so.

The district encourages all Zonta Clubs with STEM Programs to notify administrators in colleges and universities within their

jurisdiction about the Zonta STEM Scholarship, to facilitate applications

2024 Amelia Earhart Fellowship

$10,000 Fellowships are awarded by Zonta International each year, to “women pursuing, full-time Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and spaces sciences. Applications are submitted directly to Zonta International and are evaluated per the stated criteria. The 2024 AE Fellowship applications will be open July 2023, and must be submitted by November 15, 2023..District 1 was proud to have had 3 recipients from MIT in 2023. (The picture below is from the Malden Club's pinning ceremony in January.

The District encourages all Zonta Clubs with such post-doctoral programs in universities within their jurisdiction, to communicate and build relationships with administrators of such programs in order to facilitate applications. 

Sample News Releases are available from ZI, to raise public awareness about the Amelia Earhart Fellowship program. For further information about either program, please feel free to contact Jane House or visit Zonta.org/Education

The Commission on the Status of Women (also known as CSW) held a hybrid CSW67 from March 6-17, 2023 in New York, NY. The priority theme for the forum was Innovation and Technological Change, and Education in the Digital Age for Achieving Progress Toward Gender Equality. 

The focus of the CSW annual session is to discuss the progress of women and the challenges they face, set policies, and set global standards. The session convenes Ministers, high-level government officials, and civil society representatives at the United Nations in New York. CSW67 held over 700 events on a 24/7 basis; there were 400 virtual events and 350 events held in venues in and around the United Nations. 

Zonta International has consultative status at the United Nations and hosted/cohosted many events including:

• An in-person discussion on Innovation and its Transformative Impact on all Aspects of Gender Equality hosted in collaboration with UNICEF USA. (3/10)
• Say Her Name: Artists Speak Out Against Gender-Based Violence (3/14)
• Violence Against Women in Leadership (3/15).

The outcome of the Commission’s consideration of the priority theme during its 67th session will take the form of agreed conclusions, to be negotiated by all Member States. 

The Agreed Conclusions are posted on the UN Women website (CSW67 Agreed Conclusions 

District 1 Fall Conference: October 27 - 29.

Did you ever dream of visiting Halifax Nova Scotia for a beautiful fall trip while doing worthwhile work and making connections with Zontians in all of District 1? We would love to have you attend this in-person event to enjoy fantastic speakers and connections at the Cidadel in Halifax. We have an incredible opportunity to have our meetings in the heart of downtown Halifax, on this historic hilltop fort with a commanding view of Halifax Harbour. Step back to 1749 and immerse yourself in the social and military

history of Halifax with the 78th Highlanders and the 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery. And yes, there will be lobster!

You can also attend some events virtually, and we hope you'll show support for the District event. Save the date, and reach out to info@zontadistrict1.org to coordinate. There might be people flying and/or driving! (the drive would be over 2 days!)

Zonta Club of Halifax

Carol Dobson, President

We have resorted to Zoom meetings for the past few months and will probably continue until the end of the year. 

Past District Governor Beatrice, Area Director Kathryn, and President Carol attended the International Women’s Day event at the Marriott Harbourfront in Halifax. Sadly, we did not have an appropriate candidate for the YWPA this year. But we do have two new members joining, with a possibility of a third. Stay tuned!

The club is currently working hard to organize the District Conference in October and we are planning a fantastic programme. This is a great time to come to Nova Scotia (the dollar is highly favorable to our US sisters) so we want to see as many Zontians as possible. Please include us in your travel plans, you will not be disappointed.

Kathryn is doing an incredible job organizing some great (and extremely cost-effective) venues and the icing on the cake is the dinner she and Dick are arranging, at one of Zonta Halifax’s favourite places, Royal Artillery Park- a lobster dinner on Friday night. It is an event not to be missed. (And, for our NE sisters, 70 percent of ‘Maine’ lobster comes from NS!) (Dick and Walter Schori are master chefs so it will be, to borrow from Col. Sanders, a finger-lickin’ good meal.)

Can’t wait to see a fantastic representation from our American Zonta sisters in October. So much to see and do!!

Zonta Club of Amherst Area

Lisa Emery, President

The Amherst Area Zonta Club met regularly throughout the winter. We have one new member that we installed in February (Marjorie MacLean) who is actually a returning member. We have a brand new member (Susan Alexander) who attended our meeting in March and signed up to be a member in April.

In March, our club hosted Sharon Bristol, the Director of Community Living for the Town of Amherst and Jennifer Bickerton who takes care of Culture and Events for the town. They explained some of the new programs and new committees of the town, which include Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Committee along with the Accessibility Committee and the Poverty Committee. The town is focused on more social issues than ever before and community partners like Zonta help get the word out.

March 8th was International Women’s Day and we got a nice article in the local paper (right). There was a breakfast hosted by the local MLA that women from District 1 would have met at the spring conference last year, Elizabeth Smith McCrossin. She did a talk about being fearless in adversity. There was a luncheon held by the local women’s shelter (Autumn House) that we attend each year too.

Our biggest announcement is the change that we made to the Kim Wry Bursary. Kim was a former member of the Amherst Area Club and passed away. Now that we are able to resume fundraising, members decided to use the Kim Wry Bursary funds to sponsor a woman from Cumberland County to attend Camp Tidnish, which has provided summer programs in our area for individuals with physical and/or intellectual disabilities for over 80 years. We are providing this assistance in partnership with Easter Seals Nova Scotia and the Rotary Club of Amherst. Committee Chair, Betty MacLaren notes that the plan is to continue providing for at least one camper each year and have this be known as the Kim Wry Bursary for Camp Tidnish.

Zonta Club of Concord NH

Lynn Stanley, LICSW, President

Top of Concord's list is our Career Connect program for Franklin High School girls. Club members gave tips and tricks on resume writing, interviewing and dressing for success. (see picture)

We are in the process of awarding $14,000 total to our YWPA, STEM, Memorial, JMK, and NAMA scholarship recipients. Our award recipients are invited to our June meeting for dinner and celebration.

Finally, we are collecting purses to stuff with toiletries and personal items again this spring. All purses will be donated to our local homeless and domestic violence shelters for distribution.

We inducted Gale Taylor last month to our club and have two others who will hopefully be inducted in June.

Zonta Club Northampton Area   

Seren Derin, President

Northampton Area has 9 members and is actively Identifying opportunities to attract prospective members and contacting and inviting past members to meetings. We have had some interesting and timely speakers: 

State Representative Mindy Dombs presented progress on Massachusetts Legislation to address women’s issues such as providing feminine hygiene products in prison and schools. Ollie Perrault, a high school student, presented a NASA program that engages citizens to participate in global awareness observations.

We have increased visibility of the Club through Social Media and Tabling at Community events such as the Chamber of Commerce and a Youth Climate Festival (see picture). We are also seeking opportunities to share information about the International programs and the consultative relationship with the United Nations, and planning a community musical program for visibility and fundraising.

Efforts to retain members include on-boarding and mentoring new members and ensuring they have a working knowledge of Zonta International’s Mission and Strategic Plan. We participate in advocacy efforts, including “Fast Friday” notifications. President Seren Derin sends Birthday cards to members, and we regularly check in with each other to evaluate membership satisfaction. 



We awarded a YWPA Scholarship this year to a young woman from St. Mary’s High School in Westfield, and we are actively seeking out applicants for the Women in Stem scholarship. 

Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley

Dana Burton, President

The Quaboag Valley club honored Dr. Christina Royal, President of the Holyoke Community College as our Woman of the Year. The event received a lot of publicity and hopefully, some of our many guests will be interested in joining Zonta.

We have three new members: Christine Chartier, Bethany McLaughlin-Maynard, and Lisa Foste. We are sponsoring a new club in Hartford CT and they will be joining Quaboag until they hit the magic number.

We celebrated Woman's Health by inviting Drs. Alyssa and Brianna Almeida, Renew Health, LLC., to share information about Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.

2023 Young Women in Public Affairs awarded to Elizabeth Jordan Mickens! When we awarded her the $1000 scholarship we learned her Mother Laverne was a former Zontian! We have invited her to the June meeting and sent her an application! We are actively looking for Women in STEM applications for our $1000 award.

Zonta Club of Medford  

Regina Caines

The Medford Club has had a number of interesting speakers this year.

State Senator Patricia Jehlen spoke about reproductive rights and other issues facing women in MA and how we might advocate in support of upcoming legislation. We heard helpful tips and response strategies for building resiliency from UMass Professor Joan Vitello-Cicciu. Our own Julie Kaufmann kicked off Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women with a presentation on Risk Awareness Strategies for Personal Safety. Bob Paine, husband of a Medford Club member, spoke about actions available for working on climate change including solar energy options, clean energy for heating and cooling, electric vehicles; and Medford’s goals of promoting sustainable environmental and energy policies. Julie Nowak, LGBTQIA+ Initiative Coordinator for Springwell leading outreach to older adults in the rainbow community, offered insight into the use of modern pronouns and changing attitudes. 

The club has awarded $500 YWPA scholarship to a deserving high school student and two $500 Nursing Scholarships to Radiology students at Lawrence Memorial Hospital/Regis College Radiology Program. The club continued its tradition of delivering 50 holiday gift bags of personal care items to women residents of Cambridge YWCA (see picture), and contributing $300 to the West Medford Community Center Girl’s Basketball team for their tee shirts – imprinted with a Zonta logo. As well, we again contributed to an ad for the Arlington MLK, Jr. Celebration and the Medford Joint Service Club Dinner.

Zonta Club of Chelsea & N. Shore

Janice Tatarka, President

In The news!

Zonta Club of Malden

Joanne Stroud Lebeau

In March, our Women Making A Difference event celebrated Andrea So, Julie Mangan, Zayda Ortiz, and Malden Overcoming Addiction for their many contributions to our community and beyond!

On Earth Day this year, the Malden club joined with Malden Based groups to learn about the Climate Crisis, how it amplifies gender inequity, and what they are doing (and how you can help) to make a change!

The Malden Z Club is designed to provide opportunities for young adults to develop communication and leadership skills, explore career alternatives, and increase their international awareness and understanding through service. Zonta Club of Malden believes young people are critical to achieving gender equality and ending violence against women and girls around the world.