The city of Oswego recently honored the Zonta Club of Oswego for its dedication to advancing gender equality and advocating for an end to violence against women and girls.

During the Nov. 24 Oswego Common Council meeting, Mayor Robert A. Corradino issued a formal proclamation recognizing the organization’s work and marking Nov. 25 through Dec. 10 as Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women days in the city.

As part of the community’s support, City Hall is hosting the symbolic “Orange Lady” throughout the 16 Days of Activism. The statue, an emblem of the movement to end gender-based violence, can be viewed by the public on the first floor of City Hall. Residents are encouraged to visit, learn, and reflect on the importance of collective action to protect women and girls.

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations across the globe. Systemic abuse — whether physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, psychological, or economic — continues to devastate lives, families, and communities.

According to the World Health Organization, one in three women worldwide has been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that 79% of all human trafficking cases involve sexual exploitation, exposing the urgent need for stronger protections, education, and action.

Corradino commended the Zonta Club of Oswego, noting its long-standing commitment to ending these injustices.

“For over a century, Zonta International and its local chapters have worked tirelessly to create a world where women and girls are safe, respected, and empowered,” Corradino said. “The Oswego chapter continues that mission here at home, leading with compassion, advocacy, and education.”

The proclamation highlights Zonta International’s worldwide impact, with more than 26,000 members in 64 countries who work collaboratively to influence laws, shift cultural attitudes, and support programs that combat violence and promote gender equality.

The Zonta Club of Oswego serves as a vital local partner in that effort, engaging the community in awareness campaigns, events, and service initiatives.

During the 16 Days of Activism, the Oswego chapter joins the global Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, urging residents to stand united against gender-based harm. The city of Oswego echoes these calls to action.

“I encourage all residents to prevent gender-based violence by educating our community on its harm,” Corradino stated. “Advocate for survivors, uplift their voices, and act in service on their behalf. Change begins with awareness, and it continues with us.”

For more information on the Zonta Club of Oswego, upcoming initiatives, or how to support the campaign, community members are encouraged to connect with the organization or visit City Hall to view the Orange Lady display.

The Oswego County Legislature presented a proclamation to the Zonta Club of Oswego recognizing Nov. 25 through Dec. 10 as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The global campaign serves to raise awareness, support local prevention efforts, and create community partnerships to help make a safer and more equitable world for all.

“The members of Zonta Club of Oswego exemplify leadership and compassion through their ongoing volunteerism, educational outreach and advocacy on behalf of women and girls across the region,” said Oswego County Legislator James Scanlon, District 16, chairman of the Legislature’s Human Services Committee. “We commend them for the important work they do and are proud to partner with them to recognize the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.”

The Zonta Club of Oswego participates in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence as part of its “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” campaign. During this time, and throughout the entire year, members take advocacy actions to promote the human rights of women, end violence against women and girls, and more.

“Zonta International works globally to end intimate partner violence, and this is a campaign we run every year,” said Lt. Gov. of Zonta District 2 Iraina Gerchman. “From Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, we invite residents to wear orange, as this vibrant color is used to show solidarity against violence toward women. ‘Orange the World’ in our community and make it part of your conversations.”

Both the start and end dates of the 16 Days of Activism recognize other relevant campaigns. Nov. 25 is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, while Dec. 10 is Human Rights Day.

This year, as part of the 16 Days of Activism, Zonta Club of Oswego is expanding its efforts with several community-focused events. Individuals and local businesses are invited to participate in “Lighting Up Oswego Orange,” a campaign encouraging the use of orange outdoor lights to show solidarity in raising awareness of gender-based violence. Throughout the community, residents will also notice Zonta’s “orange ladies,” who will provide additional information about the initiative.

In partnership with Oswego County Opportunities’ (OCO) Services to Aid Families, Zonta will host a book club discussion on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Participants will gather at 7 p.m. at the river’s end bookstore, 19 W. Bridge St., Oswego, to review “She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement,” by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey.

In addition to advocacy, the Zonta Club of Oswego focuses on advancing the status of women, most notably through education. The club supports a number of causes, including “Safe Shelter” for survivors of domestic violence; scholarships for graduating seniors, non-traditional students and young women in public affairs; and “Maker Madness,” a collaboration with SUNY Oswego and Novelis to foster the love of STEAM in young women.

For more information about the Zonta Club of Oswego, visit its website at https://zontadistrict2.org/oswego/, Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ZontaClubOfOswego, or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/zontaclubofoswego/.

https://www.oswegocountyny.gov/news_detail_T17_R4039.php

Starting Tuesday, Zonta Club of Wyoming Bighorns will join the international organization’s more than 1,100 clubs for a campaign to raise awareness of violence against women.

Zonta International was first founded as an organization more than a century ago, aiming to improve living conditions for women and girls. Now, it has more than 1,100 clubs in 64 countries.

Zonta began participating in an international campaign, 16 Days of Activism, with its own version, Zonta says NO to Violence Against Women Days, in 2012. Local Zonta Service Projects Chair Yvonne Gatley said this is the second year the local club is participating in the campaign.

“The whole idea is to spread the awareness, the communication, of the predominance of violence against women throughout the world,” Gatley said.

Gatley said Sheridan is no exception from that predominance, adding the local group works to connect survivors to resources in the community, like the Advocacy and Resource Center. From Sept. 1, 2024, through September this year, Advocacy and Resource Center Executive Director Yvonne Swanson said the center assisted 456 people in Sheridan, 357 of whom were female.

The local Zonta club has worked to grow its own campaign. Last year, members wrapped a tree in orange ribbons — which Gatley said signals support and resilience — ran a public service announcement on radio stations and placed ads in the Country Bounty, a weekly shopper each Sheridanite receives in their mailbox. This year, it has kept each of those and is adding social media posts for each day of the campaign, delivering coasters to bars and putting 12 small, orange, 3D printed ladies with information cards in downtown businesses.

Among those businesses is Verdello. Owner Jenny Boedecker said she still needs to find the perfect location for the 3D printed orange lady.

“(It is) obviously a great cause that we all should be behind and supporting,” Boedecker said. “We all have a mother, a sister, a daughter, somebody in our life that’s a female and probably more likely than not known someone that’s been affected by abuse at some point.”

Sheridan Mayor Rich Bridger signed a proclamation earlier this week, declaring Nov. 25 to Dec. 10 as the 16 Days of Activism and as Zonta says NO to Violence Against Women Days.

Sheridanites who may want to get involved in the campaign or with Zonta should email zontawyomingbighorns@gmail.com or see the organization’s Facebook page. Gatley said the organization is largely aimed toward women, but men are also encouraged to participate.

https://www.thesheridanpress.com/news/local/local-zonta-club-ramping-up-campaign-efforts/article_b749d822-33ed-4203-aaf7-5428c133012e.html

Many Midland storefronts display orange lady dolls as part of the Zonta Club of Midland’s campaign to end gender-based violence.

The orange dolls, named Julie, are to raise awareness for Zonta International’s service project, Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women.

The project was adopted from the United Nations 16 Days of Activism campaign to unite towards a common cause of ending gender-based violence.

One in three women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime, and it is one of Zonta’s missions that no woman shall live in fear of violence. During the 16 Days of Activism, from Nov. 25 through Dec. 10, organizations and Zonta Clubs throughout the world raise awareness about this issue and challenge people to stand up and say NO to violence against women.

This year’s theme is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.” The campaign aims to raise awareness about the escalating problem of digital violence, which includes online harassment, abuse, and exploitation. Orange is the color of the campaign, and the dolls represent the women in our community who have fallen victim to violence. 

The orange dolls are named in honor of Julie, who was a 23-year-old female who was riding her bike to a friend’s house in Belgium when she was attacked. She attempted to fight off the attacker, but she was much smaller. He strangled her and threw her into the canal, where her body was found three days later. Her attacker was a serial rapist released on parole who slipped through the cracks of the justice system.

Julie’s family is prompting changes in Belgium’s judicial system in her memory, so this does not happen to other women. Julie’s aunt is a member of the Zonta Club of Midland and advocates for women to protect themselves and men to stand up and pledge to say no to violence against women.

Julie’s death is not in vain as her family and friends are continuing her legacy in advocating for ending gender-based violence. You can follow Julie’s story on Instagram @julie.vanespenslife.

You can help Zonta take a stand and say NO to violence against women by taking a selfie with the dolls, posting on Facebook your selfie and how you will stand up to violence against women, and tagging Zonta Club of Midland.

Zonta Club of Midland is a service organization working to advance the status of women and girls in Midland and is part of Zonta International, a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls. Additional information can be found at ZontaClubOfMidland.org.