The Zonta Club of Mankato supports the International Projects of Zonta International.  These include several educational scholarships and fellowships, ZISVAW (Zonta International Strategies to end Violence Against Women), and the biennial International Service Projects.  In addition, club members are active in the community supporting activities that support our mission of advancing the status of women.

Local Service Projects

• Open Door Health Center - beneficiary of primary fundraiser

• Young Woman in Public Affairs Scholarship

• Theresa House Shelter - room painting, donation of pajamas and books

• Community Garden - located at Riverfront and Madison Avenues

• CADA House Shelter - school supplies, Clothes Closet, other donations

• Clothes Closet - cost-free shopping experience for women living at CADA House and Theresa House at a local consignment shop

• YWCA Girls on the Run

• Toys for Tots - collecting toys and helping the Marines distribute to local families in need.

• Birthing Kits - assembly of birthing kits that are sent to Nepal

• World AIDS Day

• Blooming Pretty Garden Tour (fundraiser)

• Fashion show, Boutique and Raffle - community event is a fundraiser with Open Door Health Center as the primary recipient.

Zonta International Programs

Helping women in developing countries has been a passion of Zontians since the organization was founded in 1919. Today, Zonta's International Service Program continues to help women in developing countries improve their legal, political, economic, educational and health status. Through funding from the Zonta International Foundation, the Program has provided training, education, health, sanitation, agricultural and micro-credit assistance to women, primarily through projects implemented by the agencies of the United Nations and other recognized non-governmental organizations.

Since 1923, Zonta has provided more than US$11 million to projects benefiting more than 2 million women in 37 countries.

During the 2010-2012 Biennium, three projects are being supported by the International Service Program Fund:

·         Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and Gender-Based Violence in Rwanda

·         Safe Cities for Women Project in Guatemala City, Guatemala and San Salvador, El Salvador

·         Towards Elimination of Obstetric Fistula and the Reduction of Maternal and Newborn Mortality and Morbidity in Liberia

Information regarding the specific international service projects can be found here at the Zonta International website: LINK

Zonta International Strategies to end Violence Against Women Program

Globally, gender-based violence is the most pervasive and least recognized human rights violation. Rooted in inequality, it affects women of every race, class, culture, ethnicity, age and country. Zonta International strives to promote and protect the human rights of all women and girls and reduce the incidence of violence through the Zonta International Strategies to End Violence Against Women (ZISVAW) Program by:

·         Supporting prevention and advocacy strategies locally and internationally.

·         Awarding grants to United Nations agencies or recognized NGOs for projects that seek to change personal and/or political knowledge, attitudes and behavior contributing to gender-based violence.

·         Increasing awareness and actions related to preventing violence against women by encouraging Zonta club involvement in local and national advocacy initiatives and service projects.

 Since the program's inception in 1999, more than US$2 million has been provided to support 40 projects in more than 23 countries

Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program

This fellowship program supports graduate study by women in aerospace-related sciences and engineering.  Since 1938, Zonta has awarded 1,052 Fellowships totaling over five million dollars to women representing 57 countries.  The Zonta Club of Mankato solicits participation, reviews application information, and submits applications from local women to the International office.  More information can be found at: http://www.zonta.org/WhatWeDo/InternationalPrograms/AmeliaEarhartFellowship.aspx

Young Women in Public Affairs Award

The goal of the Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award Program (YWPA) is to encourage more women students to enter careers in public affairs, public policy and community organizations.  By recognizing the commitments of pre-university women students, aged 16-20 years, to service in their communities and leadership achievements, we acknowledge a commitment to the advancement of the status of women worldwide.  The Zonta Club of Mankato solicits participation and awards at least one winner at the local level.  This winner is then forwarded to the District level and if possible, on to the International level.

Information on the Local Scholarship can be found on our Scholarship page.

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

These scholarships work to support women in their second and third years of undergraduate studies.  The competition established in 1990 by Zonta International, is designed to encourage women to pursue decision-making positions in their communities.  The Zonta Club of Mankato solicits participation and awards at least one winner at the local level.  This winner is then forwarded to the District level and, if possible, on to the International level.

In 2007 and 2010, the scholarship winner from the Zonta Club of Mankato was honored with receiving one of the four International Klausman Scholarships.  Both women were students at Minnesota State University – Mankato

College students interested in applying for the scholarship can access the application form here: http://www.zonta.org/WhatWeDo/InternationalPrograms/JaneMKlausmanWomenInBusinessScholarship.aspx