Education, Leadership and Youth Development Opportunities
for Women

Education is the key to unlocking many of society's inequalities and injustices. By supporting women's access to education and leadership through the Zonta International Foundation, you help foster women's involvement in fields and industries traditionally dominated by men. 

It is our intention that the women involved in these programs receive more than a monetary award. We believe that they also benefit from an increased knowledge of women's issues locally and internationally; are encouraged to contribute to the advancement of women by actively working in their field; and continue to learn about women's issues, Zonta and our mission, through contact with Zonta Clubs.

Tsoline Mikaelian, Fellow 2004-2005 

An Amelia Earhart Fellowship is not easily earned. The women selected for this award are among the top minds in their fields, and have invested their time, money and passion to further the world's understanding of the universe and its many parts. 

However, these women are still a distinct minority. The number of women in careers in science and engineering hovers around 10 percent. While this has increased over the last 30 years, it is far from equal.

By providing financial assistance and encouragement to women pursuing graduate degrees in aerospace science and engineering, Zonta is helping to open doors of opportunity to them, in fields and industries traditionally dominated by men.

Ching-Kwan Lo, International Recipient 2004

Women in business know the glass ceiling still exists, and Zonta is helping them do something about it. Women have made great strides in the field of business, but certain inequalities still exist. For example, according to Corporate Women Directors International, women hold just 10.4 percent of the board seats of global 200 companies, as ranked by Fortune Magazine.

Zontian Jane M. Klausman understood the struggles faced by women in business. Through her lasting gift to the Zonta International Foundation, a fund was established to provide financial assistance to women pursuing undergraduate degrees in business management.

Dineshani Hettiarachchi, International Recipient, 2004

The progress of women in the last century has dramatically changed the opportunities available to women. However, women's participation in positions of public influence continue to to lag behind. Though women account for nearly 50 percent of the workforce, only 10 percent hold positions in the world's parliaments.

Zonta International believes young women are the key to women's advancement in the influential field of public affairs. The Young Women in Public Affairs Awards encourage young women who have demonstrated their leadership skills and interest in civic causes, to continue pursuing their dreams.

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