I just returned from the Zonta International Convention in San Antonio Texas. It was the most empowering
experience I have ever had and I wish you all could have joined me and the 1600 + attendees. Of these
attendees almost 1300 were voting delegates from all over the world. I have attended other conferences and
conventions and this is the first time I have ever felt a part of something so powerful and positive. Although
we addressed political issues necessary for the running of the organization it did not have a political “feel”.
What I felt was the power of 1600 Zontians all using their energy to accomplish the common goal of
“advancing the status of women worldwide”
You should all be proud to Zontians not only recognizing what we do at the local level but the impact we have
on the international level. Our work and influence with the United Nations continues to grow. As you will see
in your Zontian magazine the 2010-2012 Foundation Fundraising Goals are listed. I wanted to share them
with you now. The minimum Foundation goal for this biennium is to raise $3,758,000 to support the following
programs we committed to at this convention. These include: International Service Fund $1.5 million,
ZISVAW (Zonta International Strategies to End Violence Against Women) $630,000, Rose Fund $650,000,
Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund $700,000, Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship Fund
$184,000, and Young Women in Public Affairs Fund $94,000. These are monetary commitments Zonta has
made to ensure the future of women around the world. The next issue of The Zontian goes into great depth
of the projects we are supporting.
I would like to tell you what the International Service Program supports. The amount of $500,000 each is
dedicated to these three projects: Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Gender-Based
violence in Rwanda, a project in cooperation with UNICEF, Elimination of Obstetric
Fistula and the Reduction of Maternal and Newborn Mortality and Morbidity in Liberia,
a project in cooperation with UNFPA, Safe Cities for Women Project in Guatemala
Salvador, El Salvador, a project in cooperation with UNIFEM.
Inside this newsletter and on our Facebook page I will be sharing some pictures of
the convention.
In Sisterhood,
Patti Wilson
ZCGS President
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