Zonta-Soroptimist annual joint meeting was hosted by Soroptimist members at the Hyatt Hotel in January. Hosting this yearly meeting alternates between the two organizations. The program provided a brief history about Soroptimist and the projects and programs the international organization supports.
It is interesting that Zonta was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1919 and Soroptimist was formed in 1921 in Oakland, CA, both specifically for business and professional women to meet and provide volunteer service to their communities.
Both organizations strive to increase the status of women and girls locally and worldwide. This commonality of focus is pursued through offering fellowships, grants, projects and other support functions to the community. Some areas pursued by Zonta and Soroptimist are fellowships offered for women striving to achieve recognition in distinctive and pioneering fields; grants to women to increase job skills and/or assistance in their role as sole support for themselves and their families, community programs for young girls and women and support and awareness to combat domestic violence against women and girls.
The keynote speaker was Zontian, Colleen Shaffer. Shaffer is the founder of Circle of Hope, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance for uninsured and underinsured individuals with breast cancer, who live, work or receive treatment in Santa Clarita Valley. Shaffer shared some of the vignettes of women that her organization has helped. Some services provided by Circle of Hope are funds for second opinions, financial aid, emotional practical support through goody bags and personalized solutions. For the past five years, Shaffer is living proof that breast cancer is not the death sentence of a few years ago, but a managed disease today. Circle of Hope members want patients to focus on recovery, not debts. Shaffer is truly an example of hope and courage for all of us with the challenges she faces personally and her upbeat approach in helping others.
For more information about Zonta, contact Phyllis Walker at 661-251-1172 or 213-922-1084.