Category: Centennial Anniversary Awards

The Zonta clubs of Bombay I Bombay III in India, District 25, celebrated Zonta’s 100th birthday with the event, “Zonta Centennial Melody Night,” on 2 November at Jai Hind College Auditorium in Mumbai.

The evening was attended by Zonta International Centennial Committee Member Hsin Hsin Yang of Taiwan, her husband, Gan-dih King, and Shu-Ian Chiu and Yen-ju Chao of Zonta clubs in Taiwan. Zonta District 25 Area 2 Vice-Director Zareen Delawar Hussain, representing Bangladesh and Nepal, also attended.

It was an evening filled with Western & Bollywood songs by Hijackers Orchestra and dances ranging from Indian folk Dances to modern steps. The dance performers were students of Lady Engineer High School and Girton High School, teachers of Feel the Dance Academy, and crew of Monarch Entertainers, choreographed by Zonta member Monica Raheja.

The dances conveyed Zonta’s commitment to saying “No” to violence and women empowerment. There was also a blindfolded solo Indian dance. Guest Artist Delzad Doctor presented a fusion dance with Kathak by co-dancer Pooja.

Governor-Elect Errick Elavia welcomed and introduced honored guests and presented special mementos to them. Jam-e-Jamshed and Parsiana were recognized for their 30 years media partnership to project Zonta’s service and advocacy to their readers in India and abroad.  

Firuza Sena, Zonta District 25 Area 1 Vice-Director representing India and Sri Lanka, introduced service partners of the Zonta Club of Bombay III. The club’s Centennial Community Award went to SNEHA, received by Director Dr. Nayreen Daruwalla, and Save the Children India, received by Director Jyoti Nale. Doctor was also celebrated with a memento.

Length of Membership Awards were presented to Gulshan Patel (30 years), Freny Paghdiwala (40 years), Havovi Dotivala (47 years) and Tanaz Tarapore (56 years).

Hsin Hsin Yang was appreciative of Mumbai Zontians’ commitment to Zonta’s goals. She had gifts for both Zonta clubs and all Zontians of Bombay. 

Thirty-nine years ago, the Zonta Club of Bendigo in Australia, District 23, joined the global Zonta family with the sponsorship of the Zonta Club of Melbourne. Heather Winderlich, charter president, laid the foundations for a strong club focused on achieving the ideals of Zonta.

On Friday, 15 November, the club hosted an evening that showcased what it has achieved over the past 39 year and Zonta’s accomplishments in the last century. It also thanked its 23 Women of Achievement.

For the last few years, the club has asked the community to nominate women who demonstrate a commitment to leadership in their community. As a result of her service, the community is a better place to live. This could be a visionary leader, a volunteer or a mentor. Club members continue to be inspired by the outstanding women that are providing so much in bettering the lives of all.

The club also awarded two very special centennial awards: Community Award to Greater City of Bendigo Mayor, Margaret O’Rouke and Champion Award to Sue Brown, charter member.

Past awardees and nominees:

2000
Willi Carney (special Women of Achievement Award recipient in celebration of the club’s 20th year)

2016
Recipients: Karen Riley, Val Campbell and Gayle Maddigan

2017
Recipients: Katherine Legge, Kaye Graves and Margaret Keech

2018
Recipients: Sei Sei Mu Thein, Cathy Steele
Nominees: Jan Boynton, Johanna Spehr, Karen Whillance, Lauren Randle. Louise Scott, Anita Jack, Heather Ridge, Jac Torres-Gomez

2019
Recipients: Julie Oberin and Margaret Singe
Nominees: Judy Stewart, Kathy Tuohey, Jenny Rainsford, Laura Dusseljee

District 3’s 2019 Conference theme was, “The 100 Year Bridge: Putting Knowledge and Ideas into Action to Achieve Gender Equality.” The program cover included a bridge with women in dress representing and crossing the last 100 years.

The district’s Centennial Torch was passed from the centennial committee chairman to her daughter—both from different Zonta clubs in the district. The torch is now visiting each club until the Convention. 

Three District 3 clubs received a Zonta International Centennial Anniversary Grant and were applauded along with the mention of the USA Centennial Anniversary Awardee. 

The District Centennial Award was presented to the club of the leader of a non-profit organization that is a safe house for women. Further centennial information was included in a presentation of the Centennial Anniversary Endowment Campaign and the Zonta International Foundation’s projects.

Additionally, members and Zonta International Director Lalivan Karnchanachari wore teal throughout the conference, and everyone celebrated with a special centennial cake at a gala dinner.

The Zonta Club of Rotorua presented Centennial Awards at a cocktail function attended by 110 community members and Zontians.

The club Centennial Champion Award was presented to national sexual violence survivor advocate Louise Nicholas ONZM by District 16 Lieutenant Governor Desirae Kirby.

The club Centennial Community Award was presented to Waiariki Women’s Refuge for their work with women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Sierra De la Croix, Zonta Club of Rotorua president, also gave a presentation on the history of Zonta.