History

The Zonta organization began in District 4. The founding Club, Buffalo, NY, founded Zonta on November 19, 1919. At that time 9 clubs in New York State, Pennsylvania and Michigan became the Zonta Confederation.

The organization grew within those areas and in 1927 Zonta became International when a club in Toronto, Canada was organized.

Since then we have been known as Zonta International.

Zonta International is represented by over 1200 clubs in 67 countries.

District 4 is one of 32 districts in the Zonta world.

Mission Statement
Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy..

District Size
District 4 consists of Western New York State, Western Pennsylvania, and South and Central Ontario, Canada.

We have 41clubs and more than 1100 members.

Conferences and Conventions
We hold one district conference per biennium in the off year to International convention. International Convention is in the even years.

Projects

Zonta supports women’s education and leadership through several scholarship programs:

• The Amelia Earhart FellowShip Award Program — Amelia Earhart Fellowships support women pursuing graduate degrees in aerospace-related sciences and aerospace-engineering. Since 1938, Zonta has awarded almost 1100 fellowships worth more than $5.2 million US to women in 56 countries.

• The Young Women in Public Affairs Award — Instituted in 1990, this annual award held at the Club, District, and International levels, honours young women who demonstrate a commitment to leadership in public policy, government, and volunteer organizations.

• The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship — Instituted in 1998, this annual award, held at the Club, District, and International levels, helps women pursue accredited business-related university degrees.

• Individual Clubs also provide scholarship opportunities for high school and college students as well as for women reentering the work place. To contact a club near you please check the Local Club Information Page.

• Zonta’s service opportunities incorporate both hands-on activities and monetary contributions. Individual Clubs are involved in local community service projects as well as supporting financially the service projects selected through the Zonta International Foundation during each biennium.

• District 4 has adopted breast cancer as a focus for fundraising. To date, the District has raised more than $1 million (US) for this cause in both US and Canada. Many Clubs, and/or areas have hosted golf tournaments and other special events to raise money for breast cancer projects.

• Zonta International’s service projects include supporting UNIFEM and UNICEF. Zonta, in concert with UNIFEM and UNICEF, have supported self-help programs and provided technical assistance for women in developing nations for over 50 years. Zonta has established Non-governmental Organizational status (NGO) and has at each United Nations representation facility.

• Zonta International Strategies to Eradicate Violence Against Women (ZISVAW) focuses on prevention, awareness and education, and develops innovative solutions to eliminate abuse against women and children.