Members of Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley are returning from the Zonta International convention in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, this week with a justifiable feeling of elation—local club member Dianne Curtis has been named president-elect of Zonta International.
Selection as president-elect paves the way for Curtis to take the reins as president of the organization in the biennium beginning in 2010. She was elected by a unanimous vote of the 1,250 delegates from around the world who attended the 2008 Zonta International Convention in Rotterdam. Over 2,000 women attended the convention with the theme of “Global Empowerment Through Local Action.”
Formed in 1919, Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta has non-governmental organization (NGO) status with the United Nations, where it frequently provides input on women’s issues around the world. It has nearly 33,000 members in 1,200 local Zonta clubs located in 68 countries and geographic areas. There are seven local clubs in the Los Angeles area, with additional clubs in Riverside, Orange, and San Diego counties.
“It is an honor beyond belief to be asked to lead such an inspiring group of women who use their time, energy, and resources to improve the lives of others. While many people are aware of our local clubs’ significant efforts to improve the lives of women and girls in Southern California, I also hope to bring attention to the challenge of assisting women in third world countries who are not as fortunate as Americans, and the opportunities that Zonta provides to make a difference in their lives.”
Curtis has been a Santa Clarita resident since 1971, when her family moved to Newhall from Washington, D.C. She holds teaching credentials from the Royal Academy and once taught at a local dance studio.
Professionally, Curtis is president of her own trucking company, Canyon Bulk, Inc., a vice president of the family-owned Curtis Sand & Gravel, and president of No Limit Motor Sports, a professional motorcycle road racing team. She gained notoriety in Zonta International circles when she introduced herself for a previous international position as a “ballet dancing truck driver.”
The majority of Curtis’ volunteer work has revolved around Zonta and its mission of improving the status of women. Curtis assumed her position as international vice president at ZI’s annual convention in Melbourne, Australia, followed by this year’s successful ascendancy to the position of president-elect in Rotterdam. She is expected to move into the international president position at Zonta’s international convention in San Antonio, Texas, in 2010.
For more information, please call 661-252-9351 or visit www.zonta.org or www.scvzonta.org .