Who We Are
What is Zonta?
Zonta is a global service organization creating sustainable change
Zonta International has been bringing professional women and men around the world together for the common mission of empowering women since 1919. Whether you join for professional advancement, personal mission, or social reasons, you will help create a better world with Zonta.
Zontians work locally, impact globally
Zonta International gives club members local opportunities to support their communities while also focusing on larger international projects. Partnering with agencies of the United Nations, Zonta International focuses on projects that empower women and bring about sustainable change to ensure that each generation is stronger than the last.
Zonta invests in the future of women through education
Our mission and our members are rooted in the belief that true change lies in education. To support women’s education, we offer three annual scholarship and award programs to women in business, public affairs, and aerospace related sciences and engineering. These programs have provided more than US$10.5 million since their inception and continue to provide more than US$530,000 each year to support women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Zonta partners with global organizations for lasting change
However, Zonta knows that money is not the solution for all problems. Through its long-standing partnerships with UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA and hundreds of other local organizations around the globe, Zonta International and its nearly 1,200 Zonta clubs continually advocate to change laws, harmful cultural norms, and overall attitudes that have hindered gender equality and human rights for all.
The Zonta Club of Concord is part of
District One which covers
New England and the Maritimes.
As a member of Zonta International and the Zonta Club of Concord NH, you can expect to be a part of a greater movement to help women in your local community and around the world.
You will:
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gain opportunities to be actively engaged in local service
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participate in local and global advocacy activities
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develop leadership skills
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network with like-minded individuals around the world
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share cross-cultural experiences
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enhance your understanding of global issues and
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build lifelong friendships.
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ZONTA INTERNATIONAL has more than:
- 30,000 Members
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1,200 Clubs
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Clubs in 66 Countries
In 1919, ZONTA INTERNATIONAL was established in Buffalo, New York. Early members were among
~ the first generation of college-educated women,
~ the first generation of north American women to vote, and
~ a part of the growing, though still comparatively small, legion of women entering the workforce.
ZONTA’s inspiration & founder was MARIAN de FOREST.
While working in a prominent role at the Buffalo Express at a time when women rarely held leadership positions, playwright and journalist Marian de Forest conceived the idea of an organization that would bring together women in executive positions.
She envisioned a strong network that would help women reach their rightful places in the professions.
“ZONTA” is derived from a Lakhota (Teton Dakota), a language of the Native-American Sioux peoples, 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’s Commitment to Diversity
Since 1919, Zonta has been working to create a more equitable future for women and girls. We believe that fostering a diverse and inclusive global community is a powerful platform to bring about the social change needed to make our vision for gender equality a reality. As a global organization, Zonta International values the contributions of members of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, race, color, ability, religion, socio-economic status, culture, sexual orientation or gender identity. We believe that a diverse community of members is essential to our ability to achieve our mission to create a more equitable future.
We strive to be an organization where everyone feels empowered to be their full authentic selves. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view and know that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative environment to better serve our members and achieve our mission for gender equality. We welcome differences and strive to ensure that all voices are valued and heard. While we have more work to do, we are committed to the values of diversity and inclusion across all Zonta International activities and initiatives.
We believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
Our Mission
Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
Our Vision
Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential.
In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men.
In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.