HISTORY
The Zonta Club of St. Charles-Geneva-Batavia was chartered in February 1953 to advance the educational, economic, health, legal, political and professional status of women; to empower women through service and advocacy. This is accomplished through three primary activities: an educational scholarship program, financial support for like-minded organizations, and hands-on service projects. Zonta is a volunteer organization; women who strive to empower women and families in their communities.
The Zonta Club of St Charles-Geneva-Batavia’s charitable donations to the community are made through Zonta West-Illinois, a 501c3 public charity established in 2004 to solicit tax-deductible contributions to support charitable programs. Since 2004, Zonta has distributed more than $275,000 in scholarships and contributions to local organizations. The mission of Zonta West-Illinois is consistent with the Zonta Club of St. Charles-Geneva-Batavia, to empower women through service and advocacy.
The word ZONTA is derived from the Native American language meaning honest and trustworthy. To Zontians, the word also means empower, educate, advocate, protect, support, sisterhood, fellowship, volunteer and community. In a word, it means women.
Established in 1919 in Buffalo New York, Zonta International is now a worldwide organization of more than 30,000 members in 1,200 clubs in 67 countries. On the local level, Zonta club members work to build leaders by providing scholarships to young women pursuing higher education in fields historically dominated by men: science; mathematics; engineering and aeronautics. They also perform service projects and advocate for and financially support women and children affected by domestic abuse, sexual assault and trafficking.
On the global level, Zonta International partners with the United Nations and other global humanitarian organizations to eliminate gender-based violence, sexual assault, childhood marriage and human trafficking; to educate and empower women and girls all over the world. Zontians are proud to say that every penny of every dollar raised directly supports Zonta programs. Zontians envision a world where no woman lives in fear of violence and each of us adds our voice to gender equality.