LIHUE — The Zonta Club of Kauai, and the Zonta Club of Hanalei encourages people to attend the reading of the Zonta International Centennial Anniversary Proclamation that will take place Nov. 7 at 11:15 a.m. at the Moikeha Building.
“The Centennial Anniversary reflects our perseverance to our cause and mission,” said Jeanette Bonilla, president of the Zonta Club of Kauai. “The Zonta 100 Years theme is Honor and Empower, and the Zonta mission is empowering women through service and advocacy.”
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami will be reading the proclamation that the Kauai Zontians hope that will be attended by members of the Kauai County Council and other community organizations.
Zonta International is a worldwide organization that has empowered women and girls through service and advocacy for 100 years after it was founded in 1919 in Buffalo, New York by a group of forward-thinking women who were not satisfied with the predominantly social nature of many women’s organizations.
The founders of Zonta instead envisioned a women’s organization that would advocate for laws and policies that ensure gender equality and help every woman and girl realize her full potential.
During the recent Zonta District 9 Conference that was held at the Kauai Marriott Resort &Beach Club, District 9 Gov Ann Banks acknowledged and recognized the long time Zonta service of Dimples Kano who has been serving for 47 years, and Betty Bell, a 52-year member of the Zonta Club of Kauai.
The District 9 Conference included more than 65 Zontians who traveled from Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, and the outer islands of Hawaii for the gathering.
“For 100 years, Zonta’s vision has been to achieve gender equality,” said Zonta International President Susanne von Bassewitz. “Back then, our founders already knew that equal opportunities for women and men are necessary to build a better world. The last 100 years were marked by considerable progress, but also by pushbacks. Therefore, at its centennial anniversary, Zonta members in 63 countries call on governments and civil society to accelerate action to reach the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 — gender equality — by the year 2030.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
