For the next 16 days, you may notice a different type of yard signs in various 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 “building a better world for women and girls.” Zonta International is a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls.

The main goal of Zonta’s advocacy is eliminating gender-based violence against women. That advocacy includes observing 16 Days of Activism, which focuses on psychological, physical and sexual violence; and harmful practices such as rape, child marriage and human trafficking. 

The campaign’s goal is to get more people to speak up and act rather than look away. 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.”

You 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 105th anniversary. For Zonta’s 100^th anniversary in 2019, the Corry Zonta club purchased a yellow banner with the theme “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women.” For a few weeks each fall, 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 and programs and through partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies.

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

“We are ambitious, yet grounded in the realities of the world we inhabit. We are at the pivotal moment where gender-based violence remains a stark and painful reality and child marriage statistics have taken steps backward due to the unstable post-pandemic world,” Tuominen said, “Our voices and actions through the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women campaign will build not just a better world for women and girls, but a better world for all.”

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.

In the past, the Corry Zonta club had a program specialist at Safe Journey speak about Purple One, a bystander intervention program where victims can seek help from trained individuals. They also have heard from Erie County Assistant District Attorney Rob Ferguson and Public Defender Nicole Sloane Kondrlik regarding domestic violence programs and services in Erie County.

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 to help with 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 30 clubs with 620 members from western 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.

Jane Newman, of Ontario, is the District 4 governor. She said this campaign brings 64 countries, 1,093 clubs and 26,188 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, vice president; Reva Lowry, treasurer; Maryann Mook, secretary; and board members Barb Chase and Vickie Stull.