In the news: Zonta Club of Corry observes 16 Days of Activism

Now that the political signs have come down, you may notice a different type of yard sign in about 15 places throughout the Corry area.

Those signs say, “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.” They are being displayed by members of the Zonta Club of the Corry Area from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10. During this time, known as 16 Days of Activism, Zonta clubs worldwide focus on ending gender-based violence in all its forms.

As members of Zonta International, the Zonta Club of the Corry Area works year-round to support Zonta’s mission of “empowering women through service and advocacy.” Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals building a better world for women and girls.

The main goal of Zonta International’s advocacy is eliminating gender-based violence against women. That advocacy includes observing 16 Days of Activism, which focuses on “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women, Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy.”

The campaign seeks to get more people to speak up and act. Through a multitude of events, projects and advocacy efforts, Zonta clubs and members around the world are dedicated to ending gender-based violence.

Connie Cooper is the president of the Zonta Club of the Corry Area. She said the club has set a goal to raise awareness of and take action to prevent gender-based violence during 16 Days of Activism.

“Follow our Facebook page for daily messages highlighting the issues surrounding and actions you can take toward ending violence against women and girls. Please ‘like’ and ‘share’ every day to spread the message.”

Anyone can view the page, join the campaign to end violence against women and share the messages by going to Facebook.com/Zonta Club of Corry.

On Nov. 8, Zonta International celebrated its 104th anniversary. For Zonta’s 100th anniversary in 2019, the Corry Zonta club purchased a yellow banner with the theme “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women” in black letters. The banner also shows the symbol of Zonta. For a few weeks each summer, the banner is displayed across North Center Street to spread the word to the Corry community about Zonta’s mission.

But the Corry Zonta club does so much more. Zonta International’s ongoing service efforts are demonstrated through numerous local projects, programs and partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies.

Zonta International President Ute Scholz said Zonta envisions a world where no woman must live in fear of violence.

“Through the ‘Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women’ campaign, our members and allies stand together, uniting our voices to advocate for all those who have suffered gender-based violence,” Scholz said. “Zonta is needed now, more than ever, to continue its work to end violence and build a better world for women and girls.”

Cooper said locally, the Zonta Club of Corry supports the efforts of Safe Journey – a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse, and its affiliate, Purple One – both financially and with service projects.

“Specifically, during 16 Days of Activism, the members of the Zonta Club of Corry donate Christmas gift bags filled with essential items to be given to women and children in shelters who are fleeing domestic violence with the hope of bringing a little joy to their world during the holidays,” Cooper said.

During the club’s Nov. 16 meeting, guest speakers were Erie County Assistant District Attorney Rob Ferguson, who heads up the county Domestic Violence unit, and Erie County Public Defender Nicole Sloane Kondrlik. They spoke about the domestic violence program, including what police officers do when they respond to a domestic call and the services available to victims and offenders. Ferguson said though domestic abuse cases are down overall in Erie County compared to previous years, there are still repeat offenders and repeat victims.

In the past, the Corry Zonta club had a program specialist at Safe Journey speak about PurpleOne, a bystander intervention program where victims can seek help from trained individuals.

Zonta members Christine Cobb, left, and Bev Burton show some of the many Christmas gifts the Zonta Club of Corry is donating to Safe Journey for victims of domestic violence.Maryann Mook/The Corry Journal

Also, Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz has spoken about the widespread challenges facing women and girls in Erie County and practices put into place to help them.

The Corry Zonta club also volunteers for Shower the Shelter, when members ask the community to donate essential items to Safe Journey for victims of domestic abuse.

The Corry club is a member of District 4, Area 5. District 4 includes 31 clubs with about 620 members from eastern Ontario, Canada, to western New York and Pennsylvania states. District 4 was home to the first Zonta club, established in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1919.

Sheena Poole, of Ontario, is the District 4 governor. She said the international Zonta Says No campaign brings 62 countries, 1,103 clubs and 26,790 members together to say no to violence against women.

Violence against women and girls threatens countries, inhibits economic progress and prevents women from contributing to their community and creating better lives for themselves and their families, according to Zonta International.

Cooper said the Zonta Club of Corry is more than willing to join in the effort to halt violence against women and girls.
“I am proud of the women in our local club who selflessly give and advocate so others can have a better life,” Cooper said. “The need is great in our local community, and we are here to help in any way we can.”

In addition to Cooper, officers of the Corry club are Marie Zamiska, second vice president; Reva Lowry, treasurer; Maryann Mook, secretary; and board members Barb Diehl and Donna VanTassel. The office of first vice president is vacant.