Zonta International’s story is woven from a rich fabric of empowerment and progressive change. Today, Zonta International is a global organization of more than 28,000 women and men in more than 1,100 Zonta clubs in 62 countries. In 2019, we celebrated our 100th anniversary and the milestones that made us the organization we are today.
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Founded in 1919 in Buffalo, New York, USA, Zonta takes its name from the Lakota Sioux Indian word meaning "honest and trustworthy."
Zonta International, through its Foundation, supports women's education and leadership offering several programs. Read more about these at our Zonta International Website. Zonta International’s dedication to creating opportunities for women globally dates back to 1923, to the relief efforts provided to 115,0000 orphan children and women in Smyrna, Turkey. In 1956, Zontians reached beyond the limits of their communities to assist Hungarian refugees. And since 1962, the International Service Fund has supported training, education, sanitation, agricultural and health, and micro-credit assistance to women in more than 20 countries, primarily through the agencies of the United Nations.
From A History of Zonta International 1919-1999 “In the dynamic history of women's struggle toward equality, the founding of Zonta International in the United States on November 8, 1919 occupies a unique moment. Zonta's founding members were among the first generation of college educated women, as institutions of higher learning had opened their doors to female students only in the late 1880s. Zontians were of the first generation of North American women to vote, the franchise having been passed in the United States only a few months earlier. They were of the growing – though still comparatively small – coterie of white, middle-class women entering the workforce, the newly automated business office creating in its wake the need for a new kind of labor force.
The founders of Zonta embodied what scholars of US women's history have come to call the 'New Woman:' native-born and middle-class, this new breed of career-minded women in the early twentieth century worked against all social convention by entering the labor force not out of economic need but out of a desire to improve and enlarge their lives. And, yet, Zontians were more than simply representative. In these years, educated working women were still a minority early Zontians, all of whom were business executives, were therefore of a very small elite. Educated themselves, the members of Zonta devoted themselves to providing opportunities to other women so that they, too, might rise through the professional ranks. Savvy as to their newly-won status as fully enfranchised United States Citizens, Zontians likewise became quickly occupied with improving the status of women worldwide.
Zonta's first officers designated the official colors, mahogany and gold, and the yellow rose – the symbol of friendship – was chosen as the official flower.
Amelia Earhart, a member of the Women's Party, would in later years choose Zonta as the only non-aviation organization to which she would belong.”
ZONTA'S BRAND
Since 1919, Zonta International has protected and promoted the rights of women and girls, enabling them to recognize their rights and realize their full potential. In those 95 years, our focus has not changed however, we have grown as an organization as our reach and impact have expanded.
To recognize Zonta's influence and to emphasize our vision of a world in which gender equality is a reality and women's rights are human rights, the 2014-2016 Zonta International Board approved a new mission, vision and theme.
MISSION
Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
VISION
Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.
THEME
Empowering Women Through Service and Advocacy
Along with this new mission, vision and theme, we are also refreshing Zonta's visual brand identity. Why is this important? A cohesive brand identity, combined with our new mission, vision and theme, unites Zonta International, our districts and our clubs as one organization with a common goal. A new visual brand identity, shared across the organization, increases recognition of Zonta as a leading global organization working to empower women through service and advocacy and raises recognition of Zonta International with our stakeholders worldwide.
Our Local Club is a not for profit corporation established April 24, 1948. We received our Charter from Zonta International.
All members pledge to uphold the Objects of Zonta when they join the Club.
The Objects:
- To improve the legal, political, economic, education, health, and professional status of women at the global and local level through service and advocacy.
- To work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of members.
- To promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
- To be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, to implement service programs, and to provide mutual support and fellowship for members who serve their communities, their nations, and the world.
