District 5 News
Here's what's happening in District 5 as well as Zonta International. Please check back for new and updated information
Zonta Club of Elizabethtown Highlights
Zonta Club of Elizabethtown members and guests are pictured holding the original Club Charter Membership Certificate. The Club became a charter member of Zonta International on January 10, 1986 and will soon celebrate a 37-year history of advocating for equality for women. Pictured from left are Lois Pierce, Gail Crain, Linda Funk, Ramona Jeffries, Mary Hatcher, Debbie Lewis, Kelly Roark, and Loretta Cardin.
In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Zonta Club of Elizabethtown sponsored their 4th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on Saturday October 1st. The Walk was held on the grounds of the Jack Henry/I Pay Industries property on Ring Road in Elizabethtown. Zonta members and supporters are pictured holding Domestic Violence Awareness signs.
Zonta Club of Elizabethtown members volunteered at Feeding America. The agency serves Hardin County and 41 other counties in central, south central, and western Kentucky. Pictured at Feeding America, after putting food items in backpacks for the school backpack program, are Zonta Club of Elizabethtown members from left Laura Nall, Lois Pierce, Lee Ann Caudill, Linda Funk and Ramona Jeffries.
Club members are pictured making a contribution of $250.00 to Clarity Solutions Pregnancy Center, along with donations of baby clothes, bibs, socks, diapers, wet wipes, shoes, stroller, etc. Pictured from left Gail Crain, Lois Pierce, Linda Funk, Laura Dickinson (CEO of Clarity Solutions), Kelly Graham, and Ramona Jeffries.
In response to the devastating flooding in eastern Kentucky Zonta Club members responded to the Hardin County School Eastern Kentucky Flood Victim Relief Effort with a donation of 40 gift cards amounting to a total of $1000.00. The gift cards were delivered to school family resource centers in affected areas by Hardin County School Superintendent, Terrie Morgan on August 6th. Pictured holding the donated cards are Lois Pierce, Zonta Secretary; Terrie Morgan, HCS Superintendent; Janay Sutton, HCS Director of Health Services and Family Resource Youth Service Centers; and Linda Funk, Zonta Club President.
Zonta Club members and Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) volunteers are pictured participating in the “Plummit Summit” game. Volunteer, Carmel Bowman developed the game that provides a fun way for a group to learn and discuss climate issues and how to take action.
The Zonta Club of Elizabethtown recently recognized Arushi Bansal as the recipient of the Young Women in Public Affairs Award (YWPA).
From Lexington Kentucky, Arushi is a junior at the Sayre Independent School. She relates, “I see myself pursuing my love for public affairs and continuing my work towards improving life for marginalized people. I am considering a career in medicine where I believe I can have the most impact. I wish to concentrate my studies on public policy, global health, and healthcare advocacy in college.” She further states, “It pains me to see a large number of women dying related to pregnancy complications and children dying of malnutrition in the 21st century. A lot of work needs to be done to improve on these issues both legislatively and socially. I believe we can improve this by empowering women through better education. I want to work on both the national and global level to bring about this positive change.”
Some initiatives Arushi is involved with include having been elected as a Youth Governor of Kentucky through the Kentucky Youth Assembly where she advocated for disaster relief, accessible healthcare, and gender pay gap issues. She is part of the National Youth Governors Association and will join the Kentucky YMCA Board of Directors. She was chosen to be Co-President of the Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society Youth Board. Arushi has organized donation drives for the Nest, a center providing support to abused women, and has participated in registration drives to urge women to vote. She is also an athlete and is passionate about defending Title 1X and protecting the rights of women in sports.
Zonta Club members are pictured presenting $500 to Arushi Bansal the recipient of the Zonta Club of Elizabethtown Young Women in Public Affairs Award (YWPA). Pictured at Sayre Independent School in Lexington, KY. are, from left, Lois Pierce, Arushi Bansal, Linda Funk, and Gail Crain.
In recognition of Child Abuse and Sexual Trauma Awareness month Zonta members visited Silverleaf Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services, and provided a meal for the women and children participating in a therapeutic support group at the Center. Pictured standing from left are Kimberly Cook-Lee, (Therapist), Jamie Wathen (Therapist/Forensic Interviewer), Mary Ellen O’Daniel (Therapist), Gail Crain (Zonta), Ashley Smith (WKU SW Intern), Alexandra Stewart (Silverleaf Volunteer and Charity Auction Live Artist), seated from left are Eliana Funk and Lois Pierce (Zonta), and Andrea Powell (Family Advocate).
In recognition of Child Abuse and Sexual Assault awareness, the Zonta Club of Elizabethtown took part in Silverleaf’s “Chalk the Walk” street event with the message: HANDS ARE FOR HUGGING….. HELPING….. HEALING…..NOT HURTING!!! Pictured from left are Zonta Club members Kelly Roark, Debbie Lewis, Gail Crain, Lois Pierce, Ramona Jeffries, Loretta Cardin, and Linda Funk.
The Zonta Club of Elizabethtown promoted shoe donations as a service project for the Zonta Area Meeting. This was in support of WaterStep, a program which addresses water impurity and shortages in underdeveloped countries and those countries dealing with climate change challenges. Zonta has an interest in promoting the awareness for climate change and it’s impact on women. By donating new and gently used shoes, it helps fund safe drinking water projects all over the world. These projects save hundreds of thousands of lives each year as well as keep tons of waste out of landfills. Members from left, Linda Funk, Lois Pierce, Angela Brokmann (Zonta Area 2 Director) Debbie Lewis, Gail Crain, Kelly Roark, and Ramona Jeffries are pictured with totes of donated shoes.
During the February Zonta Club of Elizabethtown meeting, the Club awarded The Amelia Earhart Scholarship to Reagan Scarborough who has plans to attend Western Kentucky University in the fall with a major in Physical Therapy and Exercise Science. Reagan is currently a high school senior at Central Hardin and also is enrolled in the EC3 Academy. Even with this busy academic schedule she is employed at PT Pros in Elizabethtown. Pictured (left) is Reagan Scarborough, as she is awarded the Amelia Earhart Scholarship for high school girls. Presenting the Award is Lois Pierce, Zonta Scholarship Committee member.
The Zonta Club of Elizabethtown hosted the Annual Christmas Tea and Fundraiser at the Brown Pusey House in Elizabethtown. During the event attendees enjoyed violin music played by Cathy Pryek, the company of “Mrs. Claus,” as well as great tea and goodies.
During the celebration the Club awarded a $1000.00 nontraditional scholarship to Pamela Dockery who at age 52 returned to college setting an example that it is never too late to set goals and career aspirations. Further, gift certificates in the amount of $40.00 each were donated for each of the young mothers enrolled in the Hardin County School ExCel Program (offering support and opportunity for continued education and success to young mothers, and quality programming and care for children birth to age 4) along with a donation of diapers, formula, and wet wipes.
The program also recognized the “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women” and everyone wore orange ribbons representative of the campaign.
Pictured (left) during the Annual Zonta Christmas Tea, as she is awarded the $1000.00 Non-Traditional Scholarship, is Pamela Dockery, Presenting the award is Zonta Club member Laura Nall.
Zonta Club members are pictured making the donation to the ExCel Program representative Sarah Banker. From left are Joan Dale, Lois Pierce, Linda Funk, Sarah Banker, Ramona Jeffries, and Gail Crain. Barker was also guest speaker at the event. She was a young mother who attended the ExCel program and received the encouragement she needed to graduate high school and college and get a teaching degree. She now enjoys a career as a Kindergarten teacher for the Hardin County Schools. Banker credits the ExCel Program for motivating her to reach her goals.
Following the Annual Zonta Christmas Tea event, members gathered by the tree at the Brown Pusey House in memory of founding member Ruth Ellen Stanley, who passed away in June. Pictured from left are Laura Nall, Debbie Lewis, Joan Williams, Kelly Roark, Linda Funk (holding a yellow rose), Ramona Jeffries (holding a photo of Ruth Ellen), Lee Ann Caudill, Gail Crain, Lois Pierce, and Crystal Tilton.
Zonta Club of Findlay “BLING”O
Zonta Club of Findlay recently held their ZONTA “BLING”O event (Bingo with not just designer bags, but also included “bling” jewelry and accessories).
Zonta Club of BG celebrations
Celebrating National Women’s Day and Zonta Rose day – the Bowling Green way
The Zonta Club of BG celebrated National Women’s Day and Zonta Rose day by acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of professional women in our community. Our club selected 12 professional women who have made tremendous contributions to empower women in their personal and professional lives. We presented each woman a yellow rose with a card of appreciation for all the challenges, sacrifices, and achievements that they have made within their careers and beyond, and invited them to our April club meeting. We were thrilled to have had 3 ladies take the time to join us to learn more about Zonta and our mission that we share.
ABC Club Updates
A calendar of events by Zonta Club of ABC:
March:
Zonta Club of ABC does not plan to stop, they are hosting an Easter party at the Harvest Home on March 25th. Watch out for more pictures.
The Winner of the Gold Triple Necklace is New Member…. Drum Rollllll!
Deanne Hurley!!!
Cleveland Club
She will be awarded at the Area 3 Meeting
February:
January:
Christmas Party
December:
Trafficking
An informative presentation by Becca from RAHAB, this amazing group of ladies not only filled a table with donations of full sized shampoo, conditioner, lotion and body wash for RAHAB but also filled bags with toiletries for RAHAB to distribute to victims of Human
September
In September, Zonta Club of ABC celebrated their 70th birthday. Congratulations Zonta Club of ABC
Findlay Fundraiser
Zonta Club of Findlay is hosting a fundraiser on April 20, 2023.
Area Meetings
Area 1 Meeting
Hosted by Zonta Club of Toledo 1
When: Saturday, March 25, 2023, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: The Toledo Club, Belvedere Room, 235 14th St., Toledo, OH 4360
Area 2 Meeting
Hosted by Zonta Club of Elizabethtown
When: Saturday, March 11, 2023, 9.30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: College Heights Methodist Church, 710 College Street Rd., Elizabethtown, Ky.
Cleveland Club News
Members from the Zonta Club of Cleveland busy in December volunteering at the Cleveland Food Bank
On November 30, 2022, the Zonta Club of Cleveland, along with several other community
organizations, partnered with the City Club of Cleveland to bring a social justice forum titled ‘The
Changing Landscape of Reproductive Rights’.
The U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization completely
altered the legal landscape for access to abortion. Nearly 50 years earlier, Roe v. Wade had seemed
to enshrine abortion protections, but the recent decision has shifted the power back to the states,
creating a patchwork of protections and prohibitions–with the latter disproportionally impacting
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and low-income communities who face greater
barriers to healthcare.
The future of legal protections for abortion has become increasingly uncertain. During the forum
Ms. Fatima Goss Graves, President & CEO, National Women’s Law Center, was in a conversation
with Helen Forbes Fields, President & CEO, YWCA of Greater Cleveland. She discussed this
evolving issue and the legal strategies that are being developed and deployed to address growing
concerns.
“One in four women in this country have access to abortion care, and we shouldn’t pretend
like that is not a fact. I trust them to make the decisions that they need to make for
themselves and for their families.” – Fatima Goss Graves
D5 November News
To kick off #ZontaSaysNo and #16 Days of Activism,
Zonta Club of Columbus decked out in orange to attend the Advocacy meeting on November 15th. The meeting was well-attended by an enthusiastic group of ladies!
Kimm Hrdlicka Tigges, club member and District 5’s Lieutenant Governor, presented that evening on Ending Child Marriage. This is the same presentation she shared with Central Ohio high school students through the Global Scholars Program.
Members also filled out postcards to Ohio legislators “inviting” them to sponsor a bill to end child marriage.
Zonta Club of Hudson on Day 6 celebrated Allyship to include men to stand with us against violence against women. What a great idea.
Zonta Club of Cincinnati teamed up with Women Helping Women (WHW), the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati (YWCA), and the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Libraries (CHPL) and planned several events that included several local dignitaries including Vice-Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney on behalf of Mayor Aftab Pureval, City Hall and City Council, Hamilton County Commissioner, Denise Driehaus, Paula Brehm-Heeger, director of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, Nicole Williams from the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, and Nickol Mora from Women Helping Women. The Club President Melina Hepfner was also interviewed on WLWT Channel 5 and WCPO Channel 9.
Columbus Zontians also went to the movies recently to watch the newly released She Said. Based on the book by New York Times’ journalists and winners of the Pulitzer Prize, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, it’s the sexual harassment story involving Harvey Weinstein that helped ignite the #MeToo movement.
Zonta Club of Bowling Green took part in the worldwide Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. Supporting efforts to end violence against women, themed books of empowering girls and women are being donated to local libraries. The members of the Zonta Club of Bowling Green also participated in a Book Club event by reading “Brighter By the Day: Waking Up to New Hopes and Dreams” by Robin Roberts. This book was a very inspirational and powerful read. It was written to instill hope and optimism into the readers’ lives, infusing their days with positivity and encouragement. The books teaches readers how to create a happy mindset (especially when times are tough), move optimism from principle to practice, and create a life of joy (which is not always easy, but provides hope for better days).
However, they will also be extending their 16 days by holding several book clubs in which they will read many different books in support of women and domestic violence, and books that supported the mission of Zonta. As displayed in the picture, these are a few of the books that will be donated to a local coffee shop that houses a lending library for all customers to borrow. They are also currently working with the owner to display books supported by our local BG Zonta Club to bring about awareness to others as to who we are and to know what we stand for and support.
Also leading up to this holiday season, the Zonta Club of Bowling Green once again supported their local domestic violence shelter by supporting 2 families of survivors (2 adults and 4 children) and purchasing items on their wish list for the holidays. The photo attached shows the gracious generosity of our club, which is truly amazing and greatly appreciated by the women and children we support at The Cocoon.
Zonta ABC had a visitor at their November 16th meeting from RAHAB Ministries and also provided dozens of full size shampoo/conditioner/body wash/lotion and filled bags with items for their outreach program. On December 3rd they will be decorating at the Haven of Rest for their annual Happy Birthday Jesus! event for families to hear a word from the Lord and children 0-12 receive an age-appropriate gift. Following that they will then be filling 20-30 make-up bags with donations of travel size bath/beauty items for donation to The Center of Hope and Healing.
On November 30, 2022, the Zonta Club of Cleveland, along with several other community organizations, partnered with the City Club of Cleveland to bring a social justice forum titled ‘The
Changing Landscape of Reproductive Rights’.
The U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization completely altered the legal landscape for access to abortion. Nearly 50 years earlier, Roe v. Wade had seemed to enshrine abortion protections, but the recent decision has shifted the power back to the states, creating a patchwork of protections and prohibitions–with the latter disproportionally impacting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and low-income communities who face greater barriers to healthcare.
The future of legal protections for abortion has become increasingly uncertain. During the forum Ms. Fatima Goss Graves, President & CEO, National Women’s Law Center, was in a conversation with Helen Forbes Fields, President & CEO, YWCA of Greater Cleveland. She discussed this evolving issue and the legal strategies that are being developed and deployed to address growing concerns.
“One in four women in this country have access to abortion care, and we shouldn’t pretend like that is not a fact. I trust them to make the decisions that they need to make for themselves and for their families.” – Fatima Goss Graves
Follow this link to watch the video or listen to the podcast of the forum.
District 5 2022 Fall Conference
District 5 2022 Fall Conference was held in Cleveland, Ohio from Oct 21-23, 2022. Thank you for attending and making the conference a success.
District 5 June 2022 Newsletter
District 5 June 2022 Newsletter
