Zonta enriches women locally and around world 

Meghan Meyer, Zonta Club of Petoskey
 
Zonta is an international service organization with a mission to advance the status of women worldwide. On a local level, there are clubs in Charlevoix, Petoskey and Gaylord; these three clubs are part of a 45-club, 1,081-member district that covers the entire state of Michigan and part of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada.

Local fundraisers bring in money for the local safe house, self-esteem programs for young girls, programs to help stop violence against women, as well as several other service projects for organizations like the Friendship Centers and Camp Daggett (just two examples of many).

Zonta began in 1919 in Buffalo, N.Y., and maintains its original purpose: To improve the legal, political, economic, education, health and professional status of women.
Presently, on an international level, Zonta is aiding women in Liberia with obstetric fistula, promoting safe places for women in Guatemala, and helping with the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda where young women and children are suffering from HIV. There are Zonta clubs in more than 70 countries around the world, and each year thousands of dollars from the Zonta International Foundation, including the three local clubs, fund scholarships for women in aeronautics, business administration and women in public affairs.

On a personal level, Zonta has brought friendship and fellowship to my life that cannot be replaced; it is a great honor to serve as a part of an international organization and be a part of such a substantial group of women with such an impressive mission. 

For information on Zonta International, visit www.zonta.org. For information about joining a local club, call Meghan M. Meyer of the Petoskey group, (231) 881-1443.