Our Mission

Zonta Club of Traverse City is a local and international organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. We envision a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. It is our goal that every woman is literate; has access to education, health care, legal and economic resources; and no woman lives in fear of violence.

History

Getting Started

In 1919 the first Zonta club was formed in Buffalo, New York. The objective was to create a strong network of women working in executive positions who would work together to advance the status of women worldwide. These members were among the first generation of women in the United States to vote, and were part of a growing trend of women entering the workforce outside the home.

Going Global

Zonta International was organized when the first European club was founded in Vienna, Austria in 1930. In September of 1930, the club’s world headquarters were incorporated in Illinois, where they remain to this day. Today there are approximately 35,000 members in 1,200 clubs worldwide.

A New Century

Zonta Club of Traverse City was chartered in 1956. Over the years, Zonta has participated in many area service projects. Our club is growing and now boasts nearly 100 members. The club has three main fundraisers each year, the annual Z-Tee Golf Outing in June, the Fashion Show in October and the Festival of Trees in November. The funds raised by our members are reinvested in our local community through grants and scholarships.

Zonta is a word derived from the Lakhota (Teton Dakota) language of the Native American Sioux people.
It means honest and trustworthy, an integral component of the club principles.