ZONTA positively changes women’s lives in our local community and internationally.

We advocate for women's rights

We partner with our community to achieve common goals

We contribute our time, talent and treasures

We raise money for scholarships, grants to local non-profit organizations, and support Zonta International's projects

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND DEADLINES

Save The Date: Sat. September 21st

Fly into History: The Originals - A Night of Courage, Love, and Triumph at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club!

The gears are already turning for an unforgettable evening! Join us for a full sit-down dinner and delightful desserts at the Indian Summer Golf and Country Club. 

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 21st, 2024, as we proudly present "The Originals" – a captivating play by Olympia natives Tamara Belle Keeton and Katherine Kelly. Be prepared to be transported to World War II as the play unfolds the true tale of an extraordinary squadron of women pilots. Their journey is one of love, duty, sacrifice, and the unwavering perseverance of the human spirit against prejudice, betrayal, sabotage, and personal loss. 

Save the date for an evening of powerful storytelling and celebration!

Learn more about our past annual fundraisers here.

Zonta International Calls for Urgent Aid and Safety in Gaza

As violence intensifies in Israel, with a disproportionate impact on women and girls, Zonta International strongly denounces all forms of conflict-related violence. The organization underscores the unequivocal condemnation of inhumane acts.

Gaza is currently in a critical state, with reports revealing 50,000 pregnant women unable to access vital health services. Among them, 5,500 are expected to give birth in the next month, leading to 166 daily births without proper healthcare or clean water. In support of UN Secretary-General António Guterres' plea for swift humanitarian access to Gaza, Zonta International advocates for ensuring essential supplies and healthcare services for all civilians, especially women and children.

Aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Zonta urges all involved parties to fully adhere to international laws protecting the rights of women and girls, particularly as civilians. The resolution emphasizes the need for special measures to shield women and girls from gender-based violence in armed conflicts. Zonta International remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the rights, safety, and well-being of those impacted by the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Learn more about ZI's involvement here.

End Child Marriage in Washington

House Bill 1455: It Passed!

4,831 children were married in the State of Washington between 2000 and 2018.

 As of 2024, only ten states have passed laws ending child marriage and Washington will now be the 11th! Currently, there are many loopholes that allow marriage under the age of 18. 

HB 1455 will be eliminating some of those loopholes that exist in Washington State such as:

Updates

OVM-WA-2023-End-Child-Marriage.pdf

Member Spotlight: Mary Jelvik, Honored with the 2024 South Sound Exceptional Woman Award!

We are so proud to announce our Zonta Club of Olympia recipient of the Soroptimist of Olympia 2024 South Sound Exceptional Woman, Mary Jelvik!

Mary has been an integral part of Zonta Olympia since 2014, contributing her skills and dedication to various roles over the past decade. Currently serving as Chair of the Club Advocacy Committee, Mary is actively involved in advocating for the passing of the End Child Marriage legislation in Washington State. Her leadership during the recent pandemic as President ensured the club remained connected and focused on its mission of helping women and children. Mary's unwavering commitment to this cause has greatly benefited the club over the years. Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Mary navigated the club through the Zoom era and spearheaded fundraising efforts despite fluctuating restrictions.

Congratulations, Mary! We eagerly anticipate celebrating your achievements at the annual celebration on May 4th. Stay tuned for ticket information, coming soon!

Igniting Hope: MMIW Call to Action Recap and the Countdown to Our 2024 Event!


Our last MMIW Call to Action event in 2022 provided attendees with fresh insights into the vulnerability faced by our indigenous communities.   The session featured speakers who delved into ways our community can unite against injustices and violence targeting Native American women and families.


This January, we initiate the planning for our 2024 event, anticipating its occurrence in May. Interested in helping out? Contact us and join Zonta!


Learn more about the 2022 event here.

Empowering Women Through Action: Next Right Step's Impactful Initiative

What is NRS?

NRS is a wrap-around fund that pays for non-crisis, one-time expenses that are barriers to a woman’s self-sufficiency. Women can access up to $500 for expense related to maintaining transportation, legal, education, employment, health and housing.

From 2017 to 2023, the Next Right Step, in partnership with the Zonta Club of Olympia, has contributed $87,600, impacting the lives of 260 women in Thurston County.

What is the NRS Giving Circle? 

A Giving Circle is simply a group of people who band together to pool their philanthropic money and make charitable donations to a cause we all care about. The NRS Giving Circle honors and builds on the 7- year legacy of Zonta’s NRS. The Giving Circle raises money for the same cause and together we amplify our power and make a greater impact.

By becoming a Giving Circle member, your donation can positively influence the lives of 2-5 women this year, contributing to the strength and resilience of our community. Join us in making a lasting impact!

As of 2024, Zonta Club of Olympia will be donating $2000 annually. Interested in being a supporter? 

Learn more here.

PAST HIGHLIGHTS

Member Spotlight: Toy Kay's Prestigious Award from Olympia Historical Society!

On January 27, 2024, Toy Kay was honored with an award by the Olympia Historical Society for her outstanding community service leadership in Olympia and Thurston County.

Having been a Zonta member since 1961, Toy stands as the fifth longest-serving member of Zonta International. Her legacy extends further with an endowment scholarship in her name at Evergreen State College. Notably, she is also the accomplished author of the book "An American Picture Bride." 

Congratulations, Toy, on these remarkable achievements!

Tackling Child Marriage in Washington: A Call to Action for January 18th

Child marriage poses a significant threat in Washington due to perilous legal loopholes allowing parents to arrange marriages for children of any age. Shockingly, between 2000 and 2021, 5,048 minors, some as young as 13, were married in the state, with over 80% involving girls marrying adult men. This alarming practice creates a legal quagmire, impacting every aspect of a young girl's life, prompting the U.S. State Department to label marriage before 18 as a "human rights abuse."

The Washington Coalition to End Child Marriage recently organized a highly successful Chain-in event at the Capital in support of the HB1455 aimed at ending child marriage in Washington State. During this impactful demonstration, volunteers donned wedding gowns, were linked together in chains, and symbolically had their mouths taped. A significant number of Zonta members from across Washington State actively participated in the event.

Learn more about event here.

2023 Hotel Olympian Gala Extravaganza!

Zonta of Olympia's 2023 Fall Fundraiser

“The Hotel Olympian Grand Gala Extravaganza"!

We hope you could have joined us for this recreation of the 1920 post-pandemic grand gala celebrating the opening of the Hotel – and find out how Olympia saved our Capitol from the would-be usurpers in Tacoma and Seattle. 

 Our two-day event in September required a lot of effort, but the results were truly rewarding! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and donated, making this weekend an incredible success. Bryan Willis's "Hotel Olympian Gala Extravaganza" play and the delectable food by Chef Lela Cross and her team were enjoyed by all. 

Through ticket sales, raffle tickets, the "raise the paddle" initiative, and post-event donations, we raised approximately $21,000. Save the date for next year's fundraiser on September 21st, 2024. Your continued support means the world to us! We cannot wait to see you all again next year!

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Event

On November 17th 2022, Zonta Club of Olympia held a MMIW Call to Action event to discuss how we as a community can fight against the injustices and violence on Native American women and families. 


We owe a special thank you to all of our speakers; Harvest Moon, Representative Debra Lekanoff, Karyn Kameroff, Chaynanah Squally, and Roxanne White. 


Our meeting brought a new understanding to those who attended about the vulnerability of our indigenous people. We have already started the planning process for our next MMIW event in 2024 so check back for updates!


If you could not attend or want to learn more, take a look at a video overview of our 2022 event!

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Award

DEADLINE: Application Cycle Closed

The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships are awarded to women undertaking business studies who have demonstrated outstanding potential in the field.

This program operates at three levels:

Zonta International offers 37 international scholarships of US$5,000. 

DEADLINE: Application Cycle Closed

Learn more about our recipient(s) and our other scholarship programs here. 

SERVICE AND ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT

Eliminating Child Marriage

WASHINGTON STATE 

Learn more about the how Zonta International is supporting the End Child Marriage project in this flyer and in the video below.

House Bill 1455 Child Marriage 

4,831 children were married in the State of Washington between 2000 and 2018.

 As of 2024, only ten states have passed laws ending child marriage and Washington is not one of them. Currently, there are many loopholes that allow marriage under the age of 18. 

HB 1455 will be eliminating some of those loopholes that exist in Washington State such as:

"Most people cannot believe that child marriage is legal in Washington, but child marriages do happen, and they are not rare. Between 2000 and 2018, more than 4,800 minors between the ages of 15 and 17 years were married in Washington." 

Take a closer look at the amendments, summary and testimonies for this bill here.

Take Action

Help Washington Zonta clubs gain the traction we need to end child marriage for good! 

Empowering Kinship Families: 

Zonta Olympia's Year-Round Commitment

What is a Kinship Family? 

Kinship families typically include grandparents, aunts, and sisters who have assumed the responsibility of raising siblings, opting for family care over placement in foster homes. This decision often places unforeseen financial burdens on caregivers. Zonta Olympia strives to bring a touch of joy to their lives by alleviating some of these hardships.

How it works:

For several years, Zonta Olympia has been a proud sponsor of Kinship families, extending financial support for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, providing gifts for the entire family during the holiday season, distributing Easter candy, and ensuring birthday celebrations are memorable.

These deserving families are referred to us through Family Education and Support Services, where they undergo careful screening before becoming recipients of our assistance. 

Zonta Olympia commits to adopting these families for at least a full year, recognizing the unique challenges faced by Kinship families.

Meet Our 2023-2024 Families

This year, Zonta Olympia as proudly adopted two families:

Interested in supporting these families? 

Donate to the Kinship Family project

To bolster the support for these families, Zonta Olympia hosts annual holiday parties, creating a space to not only celebrate but also to deepen our understanding of the Kinship family program and contribute gifts. The commitment to these families extends beyond the festive season, reflecting Zonta Olympia's dedication to making a lasting impact in the lives of those who need it most.

CLUB OF OLYMPIA CALENDAR

Interested? Take a look at our page on becoming a member and contact us! 

We can not wait to see you at our next meeting!