HONOR AND EMPOWER – THE ZONTA INTERNATIONAL CENTENNIAL THEME
Zonta International has been empowering women for nearly 100 years through service and advocacy. One hundred years ago, a small group of pioneering women came together in Buffalo, New York with a vision to help all women realize greater equality while using their individual and collective expertise in service to their community.
Their vision became Zonta International, an organization that has grown to more than 29,500 members in 63 countries, working together to make gender equality a reality for women and girls worldwide. To see updates on the Centennial Anniversary go to www.zonta.org and www.zonta100.org.
On November 14, 2019, The Zonta Club of Harrisburg and Hershey held a centennial party to celebrate Zonta International’s 100th anniversary of empowering women and children worldwide through service and advocacy at its monthly meeting at the Radisson Hotel in Camp Hill with a special program highlighting ZI’s history. At the party, several characters presented their decade of highlights in Zonta’s history over the past 100 years. Even fellow Zontian Emelia Earhart joined us. It was great fun. Also presented to Zonta member Kathleen O’Malley was the “Unsung Hero – Spirit” Award for her dedication to Zonta. Also presented at the centennial party was a special Centennial Grant created this biennium to celebrate the 100th birthday to Denise Britton, Executive Director at Shalom House (see below).
To see the accomplishments of the Zonta Club of Harrisburg and Hershey for the last two decades, click here.
Centennial Anniversary Grants
In honor of the Centennial Anniversary, Zonta International offered grants of up to $5,000 to Clubs to recognize charitable organizations working to improve the lives of women and girls in their local communities. The grant was to be used in partnership with a local agency that shared Zonta’s mission to empower women through service and advocacy. The Zonta Club of Harrisburg and Hershey was honored to receive a $5,000 grant for our partnering organization, Shalom House, which will be used to continue its work of empowering women and transforming lives. See the Service tab for more information.
Club Centennial Champion Award
Another special celebratory program for local Zonta Clubs is the Club Centennial Champion Award presented to an outstanding individual in the community who has contributed significantly to empowering women. On May 9, 2019, Denise Britton, Executive Director of Shalom House, was presented the Zonta Club of Harrisburg and Hershey’s Centennial Champion Award.
The Club will continue its celebration of ZI’s Centennial Anniversary throughout the 2019-2020 Zonta year and at the Club’s 40th Anniversary event to be held on April 26, 2020, at the West Shore Country Club. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this event has been canceled and will be rescheduled.
