Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of executives and professionals working together since 1919 to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta International is comprised of over 30,000 members and 1200 clubs worldwide that are organized into 32 districts.
The Zonta Club of St. Catharines was established in 1929 and is in District 4 Area 3. Members actively support organizations and individuals that assist women and children locally and abroad. Our club makes a difference by addressing various women’s issues including health, education, poverty, employment, security and much more. Our club meets the third Monday of every month from September to June at the St Catharines Club at 77 Ontario Street, St. Catharines.
A portion of our service funds are sent to Zonta International to support programs at the global level that help improve living conditions for women.
Zonta: The Name
“Zonta” is derived from a Lakhota (Teton Dakota), a language of the Native-American Sioux peoples, word meaning honest and trustworthy. It was adopted in 1919 to symbolize the combined qualities of honesty and trust, inspiration and the ability to work together for service and world understanding.
Zonta Emblem
The emblem that evolved thereafter also draws from several Sioux symbols, blending the individual elements shown here into a composite logo, and extending their meaning to embrace the goals and objectives of Zontians, as the members came to be called.
Zontians consider themselves “a group of people inspired by common goals—namely community service and work understanding—banded together to achieve them in a framework of loyalty, honesty and trustworthiness.”
Zonta Yellow Rose
The beauty of a single yellow rose has been a favorite Zonta symbol for many years.
The “Zonta Rose” was introduced at the 1984 Sydney Convention, thanks to the dedication and support of District 16 Zontians. But the Zonta Rose is much more than a lovely flower. Since 1999, it has served as the symbol of Zonta Rose Day, which falls on 8 March and coincides with International Women’s Day. On this special day, Zontians worldwide are encouraged to publicly distribute yellow roses or items bearing the image of yellow roses, accompanied by information about Zonta International and issues relating to improving the lives of women.
The Zonta Rose is registered internationally under the name “Hartanna.” It also goes by the name “Princess Alice” in Canada and the UK, and “Bright Lites” in the USA.
Related Links
Zonta’s Status with the United Nations
ZISVAW – Zonta International Strategies to end Violence Against Women