Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women. There are nearly 29;000 members in 1,200 clubs in 62 countries and geographic areas. Founded in 1919 in Buffalo, New York, USA, Zonta takes its name from the Lakota Sioux Indian word meaning "honest and trustworthy." Zontians volunteer their time, talents and energy to local and international service projects that are designed to advance the status of women. Zonta International Foundation…supports international service projects and educational fellowships to improve the quality of life for women. Following are some of the activities funded by the Foundation:
1. Zonta International Strategies to Eradicate Violence Against Women and Children (ZISVAW) focuses on prevention, awareness, education and the development of innovative approaches to eliminate abuse against women and children. Zonta works with UNIFEM, a cooperative project with the United Nations, to prevent violence against women in India and in partnership with UNICEF to eliminate female ge***al mutilation in Burkina Faso and maternal and neonatal tetanus in Nepal.
2. Young Women In Public Affairs Awards honors young women who demonstrate a commitment to leadership in public policy, government and volunteer organizations
3. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships support undergraduate business study.
4. Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Awards, in honor of Zontian Amelia Earhart this fellowship supports outstanding women pursuing graduate degrees in aerospace-related sciences and engineering. Since 1938, $7 million has been raised to support nearly 1,157 fellowships for women representing 57 countries.
5. Zonta International, through its Foundation, also supports the Michael J. Zonta is committed to women's development and has supported a series of international service projects in more than 25 countries primarily in cooperation with United Nations agencies.
7. Zonta International has Consultative Status with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Council of Europe; General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); and Operational Relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO).
