The Zonta Club of Marquette is encouraging you to participate by sharing your story on social media and letting people know that you stand against domestic and gender-biased violence.
“It’s that idea that every time you share, every time you post, every time you have a conversation, every time you inform somebody, you’re breaking the silence against violence against women,” said Zonta Club of Marquette Member Lorena Donnellan.
Zonta Club of Marquette Member Lucille Contois says you can also participate by showing off Zonta symbols like orange umbrellas and lanterns.
“The lanterns are supposed to shed light on the issue for the community,” said Contois. “The umbrellas are there to represent safety – a safe space and safety in the home. This is about a safe community.”
You can donate to Zonta International and find resources to help you advocate for violence against women here.
Photo of the Batavia – Genesee County Zonta Chapter members. Submitted photo.
Press Release:
Genesee County Chapter of Zonta International is proud to announce a series of impactful activities as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, a global movement dedicated to ending violence against women and girls.
This year’s campaign runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, through December 10, Human Rights Day. The Batavia – Genesee County Chapter has planned a variety of initiatives to raise awareness and support survivors in our community.
Local Activities
Donation to Local Domestic Violence Charity
As part of our commitment to supporting survivors, Zonta will be donating to a local domestic violence charity. We are grateful to those who purchased popcorn from our fundraising event this fall. There is still time to purchase and help support this donation. Please reach out to the Batavia – Genesee Zonta Chapter Facebook page to get further information.
Lighting City Hall Orange
During the 16 Days, Batavia City Hall will glow orange—the campaign’s signature color symbolizing hope and a brighter future free of violence.
Violence against women is a global issue that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime. By participating in the 16 Days of Activism, the Genesee County Chapter of Zonta International joins a worldwide effort to end gender-based violence and support those who have been affected.
Get Involved
We invite community members to join us in this vital mission. Whether by attending events, engaging online, or supporting local organizations, everyone can play a role in creating a safer, more equitable future.
Zonta Club members Lois Pierce, left, and Betsy Kiefer put up “Zonta Says No” signs and wearing orange, the color to draw attention to issues of gender-based violence and the “Zonta 16 Days of Activism” campaign, which runs until Dec. 10.
Zonta kicks off campaign to end violence against women
Each year during the “Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women,” campaign, Zonta Clubs and Zontians around the world take action to advocate to end violence against women and girls in all its forms.
The Zonta “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” began Monday, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and continues through Dec. 10, Human Rights Day.
To kick off the Campaign, Zonta Club of Elizabethtown members put up Zonta Says No signs along Ring Road in Elizabethtown. During the campaign members will wear the color orange which has been recognized globally as a symbol against gender-based violence particularly during the annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign.
The Club also will host its Christmas Tea and Silent Auction fundraiser Dec. 8. Proceeds are used to support local programs such as SpringHaven, Silverleaf, school resource centers, the HCS Excel Program and others.
During the Tea, the Club’s Non-Traditional Scholarship recipient will be awarded $1,000.00. A monetary contribution along with other needed items will be presented to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program which provides forensic examinations and offers support to victims.
Zonta’s Mission is “Building a Better World for Women and Girls” through addressing both locally and internationally, issues of fairness and equality for women, girls and children academically and in the workplace as well as advocating against gender-based violence, child marriage, and human trafficking.
Zonta is part of Zonta International with membership of like minded professionals from diverse countries and cultures.
For more information about Zonta search www.zonta.org. Find us on Facebook at Zonta Club of Elizabethtown, or for membership inquiries contact Kelly Roark at 270-401-8141.
The Zonta Club Fleurieu Peninsula Inc, Australia, actively engaged the community with impactful initiatives during the 16 Days of Activism, focusing on raising awareness of gender-based violence and advocating for change.
Community Awareness Walk Against Gender-Based Violence The club collaborated with Junction Australia-Fleurieu and the Haven Women’s Information Service for the inaugural walk against gender-based violence in Goolwa. Participants, joined by beautiful weather, marched down Cadell Street to the riverfront, where they observed a respectful silence for women killed by their partners this year. Eye-catching banners with the message “Zonta Says No” were also displayed roadside in Victor Harbor and outside Goolwa Secondary College.
Film Night Advocacy The club hosted a special film screening of Lee during the campaign at Victor Harbor. Before the screening, club members highlighted Zonta’s global mission to end violence against women and girls. Guest speaker Tammy Elvin, Regional Manager for Junction Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island, shared insights into Junction’s role in the region and announced upcoming emergency accommodations for women at risk of homelessness.
Through advocacy, collaboration, and impactful events, the Zonta Club reinforced its commitment to a world free of violence against women and girls.
Mayor Pat McMahan declared December 2, “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Day” in Mascoutah in a proclamation read during the meeting. (From left to right: Mary Price, Donna Mae Schlueter, Mayor Pat McMahan, Michelle Miller and Nicole Vernier
By Zachary Daum
mascherald@heraldpubs.com
The Mascoutah City Council met on Monday, December 2 at 6:30 PM for a public hearing on a proposed property tax levy increase for Mascoutah’s special service area, before meeting for their regular council meeting at 7:00 PM. There were no citizens in attendance for the public hearing.
Mayor Pat McMahan stated that this is done every year and that there is no reason not to move forward with it. This amount does not increase tax rates, but increases the amount of money captured by the tax rate as it stands.
Mayor McMahon read a proclamation in relation to the Zonta Club for their dedication to supporting women’s rights. December 2 was declared “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Day.” The Zonta club also noted that they raised $155,000 for Zonta international since it’s inception in the Mascoutah area.
The following is the complete proclamation as stated and read during the meeting:
“WHEREAS. the crime of violence against women and girls
Continues to be the most pervasive human rights violation and a global epidemic
Is due to systemic use of physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, psychological and economic control and/or does not know any national nor cultural barriers and affects millions of women and girls of all races and abuse socioeconomic backgrounds, in peacetime and conflict
violates an individual’s privacy. dignity, security, and humanity
results in serious short-term and long-term physical, sexual and reproductive, and mental health problems, including increased vulnerability to HIV; and
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization estimates that one in three (30% of) women woridwide have
experienced physical and/or sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, according to UNICEF, “around 120 million girls under the age of 20 worldwide (about one in 10) have experienced forced intercourse or other forced sexual acts”; and
WHEREAS, more than 650 million women alive today were married as children and 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year, and
WHEREAS, according to the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, `the most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation”; and
WHEREAS, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation in the countries where the practice is concentrated, he World Health Organization estimates; and
WHEREAS, Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals with more than 26,000 members in 64 countries working together to make gender equality a worldwide reality for women and girls and has contributed to help achieve a world free of violence against women and girls for more than 100 years; and
WHEREAS, during the 16 Days of Activism, 25 N0vember-10 December, the Zonta Club of Mascoutah Area- along with all Zonta clubs-is encouraged to take part in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign and to take local, national and international actions to influence the making and implementation of laws, as well as changing gender-based attitudes and behaviors to end violence against women.
THEREFORE, I, Pat McMahan, do hereby proclaim December 2nd as Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Day in Mascoutah, Illinois and encourage all residents to prevent gender-based violence by educating the community on its harm, to advocate for survivors of gender-based violence and to act in service on their behalf,
IN -WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused a seal of the City of Mascoutah to be affixed, on this, the 2nd day of December, 2024.”
After the public hearing and proclamation reading for Zonta, the council began their regular meeting, with a first reading of the 2024 Property Tax Levy. The 2023 rate setting EAV was $160,311,430, with this year’s estimate sitting at $196,335,568 for an increase of $36,024,138. The tax levy amount is the estimated amount of dollars needed by the city to run operations and to pay general obligation bonds. This does not raise property taxes, but captures more of the tax funds already collected for city use. “It’s important for people to know that we are not raising taxes. This is something we do every year.”
The council unanimously approved a bid award for the purchase in the amount of $32,900 to Holzhauer Motorsports of Nashville, IL for an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) for use by Mascoutah Police and EMS. This vehicle will be used for both special events and for emergency operations as needed. The funding for this is within the 2024 budget. This also includes a medical skid unit for use with this vehicle in the amount of $4,090. This was the lowest bid out of 4, with the others being one from Polaris for $35,999, one from Oasis Powersports in the amount of $35,999 and one from Lou Fusz Motorsports in the amount of $35,999. Mascoutah Police Chief Scott Waldrup said that the ATV would also assist with drone use. It will be able to transport the drone to locations outside of more easily accessible areas. Councilman Nick Seibert requested where the vehicle would be stored with the electric shed being a temporary location for this, before finding another storage area.
An agreement of a bid award and expenditure in the amount of $54,000 for engineering service to prepare plans, specifications and construction documents for “Safe Routes to School” bump-outs on County Road was discussed and unanimously approved. The city previously applied for and received a grant in the amount of $250,000 for construction of measures to improve safety for students around the high school area. This proposal allows for the construction of bump-outs on County Rd.
The council then discussed and unanimously approved a resolution to apply for a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant. This grant money would be used to create a roundabout at West Main Street and County Road. The city believes that a roundabout at this location would improve safety and traffic speed at the location. This grant would pay for 80% of the costs for preliminary engineering. City Engineer Sal Eklott was asked about the timeline on this roundabout project, who stated that the earliest the city would see any construction of this roundabout would be 4 years. Mayor McMahan stated that with that timeline, TIF district funds could be used to help pay the cost of construction for the roundabout. Elkott was also asked by Councilman Jack Weyant about how this would affect nearby businesses. Elkott explained that because the construction is years down the line, concerns by nearby businesses and residents alike would be consulted. Mayor McMahan stated that this is currently only a rough concept.
The council adjourned at 7:22 PM. They will next meet for their final meeting of 2024 on Monday, Dec. 16 at 7:00 PM. All citizens are welcome to attend in person. Optional virtual public attendance is also being provided virtually through Zoom Meeting (https://zoom.us). Information on how to attend these meetings can be found on the Mascoutah City Council website at https://www.mascoutah.org/mayor-city-council in meeting agenda notes.
On 2 December, the Zonta Club of Cheyenne, USA, led a Silent Witness March in downtown Cheyenne to honor local victims of domestic violence. Community members joined the march, carrying silhouettes representing individuals killed by domestic partners or family members. Following the march, participants shared personal stories of loss and survival, creating a powerful space for reflection and awareness.
The silhouettes were later displayed at the community library, where the public could read about the victims throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
As part of the campaign, the club also secured proclamations from the Governor of Wyoming and the Mayor of Cheyenne, recognizing the urgency of ending gender-based violence.
The Silent Witness events garnered local media coverage, amplifying the club’s message and advocacy efforts to promote awareness and action against domestic violence.
On 29 November, more than 100 residents of the small township of Stanthorpe in rural Queensland, Australia, took a stand against domestic and family violence, led by members of Zonta Club of Stanthorpe Inc, Australia. Local community organizations including Southern Downs Regional Council, Rotary International, Queensland Police Service and Lions Club of Stanthorpe, recognized the international campaign Zonta Says NO to Gender Based Violence with a vigil and walk through the streets of the small rural town in Australia. Landmarks and parks were lit orange and a series of orange footsteps were placed along the street and remained for the 16 Days of Activism .
Empowering Underprivileged Girls at Abinte Kabir Foundation On 5 December, the Zonta Club of Dhaka III, Bangladesh, organized an advocacy program at the Abinte Kabir Foundation, a school for underprivileged girls. The initiative focused on addressing early child marriage and gender-based violence (GBV).
The event included the donation of a sanitary napkin dispenser to improve menstrual hygiene, reducing school absenteeism and empowering young girls to pursue education uninterrupted. Distinguished attendees, including the Past Governor of District 25 and the club’s leadership, emphasized education as a critical tool for combating child marriage and GBV, aligning with Zonta’s mission to advance gender equality.
Awareness Program at Shishu Bikash Kendra (SBK) On 7 December, the club held a similar program at SBK, a club-funded school for underprivileged children. The initiative highlighted the importance of education as a means to fight GBV and early child marriage, benefiting 130 children from vulnerable families.
Interactive sessions engaged parents and students, addressing the adverse health effects of early marriage and promoting women’s and children’s rights. Parents shared their challenges, while Zonta leaders offered practical solutions to prioritize education.
Both events reflect the club’s commitment to empowering communities, fostering awareness and breaking cycles of inequality through education and advocacy.
As part of the 16 Days of Activism, the Zonta Club of Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, illuminated the main square in orange, symbolizing solidarity with the fight against gender-based violence.
A display of 19 pairs of shoes hung from the windows of the Town Hall, representing the 19 feminicides in Switzerland from 1 January to 25 November 2024. This impactful visual aimed to honor victims and raise public awareness about the urgency of addressing violence against women.
The Zonta Club of Hualien, Taiwan, launched the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women campaign alongside its social service activities. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about Zonta’s commitment to opposing domestic violence and empowering women to break free from abusive situations.
Club president Peng Liping emphasized the importance of helping women understand their rights and encouraging them to stand up to their abusers. By doing so, the initiative seeks to prevent women and their children from enduring the long-term effects of violence and fosters a future free from its shadow.
Join us in saying NO 