“City of Columbia
A Proclamation
WHEREAS, Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of executives in business working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, Zonta International was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1919 and is composed of 1,200 clubs in 63 countries and geographic areas with more than 30,000 members; and
WHEREAS,
Zonta International has contributed millions of dollars to service projects worldwide and advocated for women’s rights, good health, economic and political improvements and the eradication of violence against women; and
WHEREAS, the Zonta Club of Columbia was chartered 50 years ago by Zonta International to improve the status of women in the Columbia Metropolitan Area; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Zonta Club of Columbia are active or retired business executives and community leaders; and
WHEREAS, these members give many service hours and dollars to the community in the name of Zonta International; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbia congratulates the Zonta Club of Columbia on their 50 years of dedication and service to this community and wishes the club the best of luck on the next 50 years of service.
NOW, THEREFORE I, Stephen K. Benjamin, Mayor of the City of Columbia, South Carolina, along with my fellow members of Columbia City Council, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, September 10, 2013 as Zonta Club of Columbia Day in the City of Columbia and urge my fellow citizens to recognize and participate in its observance.
Stephen K. Benjamin, Mayor
Sam Davis, District I, Council Member
Tameika Isaac Devine, Council Member At Large
Leona Plaugh, District IV, Council Member
Brian DeQuincey Newman, District II, Council Member
Cameron Runyan, At Large, Council Member
Moe Baddourah, District III, Council Member”
The conference was held in Sanibel, Florida on Sept. 22-24, 2011
Read the report from Zonta of Columbia Delegate, President MJ Hassell by clicking here
Our very own Marion Watson on the runway – participating in a fundraiser for women: the fashion show during the Killingsworth Gala
The 2nd Annual Zonta Flea Market was held at Advantage Self Storage on Atlas Road on October 22. Zontians enjoyed a fine morning and raised funds for women’s causes. Many thanks Advantage Self Storage owner, Ellie Dagle and her family for the use of their facility and for their continued sales on our behalf.
By Doris Cheek
Next steps with the our 2012 Katherine Matthews Young Women in Public Affairs scholarship for high school girls showing commitment to volunteerism and leadership are as follows:
February 15: Completed applications are due to the Zonta Club of Columbia
March/April/May: Applications are evaluated, winners are notified, and awards are given
June/July 1: Winner information is sent to District 11.
Next steps with the Vivian Hudson Jane M. Klausman Scholarship for college women pursuing business degrees are as follows:
January: Application is available on line at the Zonta International website
February: Applications are distributed to the business schools in our area
May 1: Applications are due to the club
May/June: The club evaluates applications and award the winners.
July 1: Deadline for winner info to be sent to District 11.
We will be asking Zontians to help read and evaluate applications and possibly to help interview the top applicants prior to the July 1 District deadline. Detailed information about both scholarships is available on the Zonta International website.
Our contact person at the SC Justice Department identified a family they needed to ‘be available’ as witnesses in a court case that would take some time to prosecute. The family needed just about everything.
Zonta of Columbia jumped at the chance to purchase and collect needed items for this worthy cause. Outfits for each member of the family, toys, blankets, and food items were brought together quickly and with some thoughtful organization.
We received an official letter from the District Attorney thanking us for this valuable contribution.
Dottie Munsch, Ellie Dagle, Coretta Bedsole visit
with Vivian Hudson earlier this quarter.
These last few months have been punctuated with some great events: our Bowlathon, the meeting at Sanibel Island, and another Flea market event to supplement our charitable giving.
I am especially thankful to our members for the quick and generous response to the ‘family in need’ identified by the SC Department of Justice. Our continuing attention to these and other trafficking meetings and events sends a message to our elected officials and others that their actions matter and we are ready to do what is needed to ensure policy and laws are updated to meet these new times.
We have a new subcommittee to work on identifying a new annual fundraiser.
Enjoy Zonta by continuing to play your part in helping each of the committee chairs and attending events.
We will all have the opportunity to attend the district meeting in September and I urge you to make it – if at all possible. Not only is it being held in an amazingly beautiful area, but also where a club has led the way in the work against Human Trafficking.
Clockwise from left: Runette Louthian, Libba Patterson, Coretta Bedsole, Dottie Munsch, Barbara Scott, Doris Cheek, Ina Edens, Judy Barnes, Dena Feagin, Deborah Cornelison, Ann Maletic, Doris Clevenger, MJ Hassell.
The Zonta Club of Columbia hosts an annual fundraising event titled Bowling for Zonta. Through this event, the Club raises money which will benefit several community service projects. The Zonta Club of Columbia offers two annual scholarships to women (one on the high school level and another on the college level). The Club also works with Killingsworth Home (a transitional housing program for women in crisis), the Women’s Shelter, Human Trafficking, Palmetto Aids Life Support Services (PALSS), and The Women’s Community Residence as well as other projects which are designed to improve the status of women and girls.
