Zonta International began working for the economic, social, education, legal, health and political equality for women in Buffalo, New York during the 1919 U.S. campaign for women's rights. By 1920, a confederation of nine "Zonta," a Lakota Sioux Indian word meaning "honest and trustworthy," clubs had formed with 600 members. Within ten years, Vienna, Austria established the first European club, and the Confederation of Zonta Clubs became Zonta International. Today Zonta is an international service organization of 30,000 business and professional executives in 1200 clubs and 70 countries around the world. Members are architects, artists, business owners, corporate executives, doctors, lawyers, pilots, professors, government officials, scientists and more.

Each Zonta club selects, funds and participates in community projects fundamental to women's advancement such as those that promote economic self-sufficiency, political equality, aging, access to education, health, nutrition, and the eradication of violence against women and children.

Zonta's international service over the years has been closely linked with the United Nations. Zonta has Consultative Status with the: United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF); the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM); the International Labour Organization (ILO); and the Council of Europe. Zonta maintains operational relations with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and maintains representatives at United Nations sites in Geneva, New York, Paris and Vienna.

Through voluntary contributions to the Zonta International Foundation, Zontians provide financial support for international service projects and educational fellowships to improve the quality of life for women around the world.

In 1998, Zonta embarked on a long-term focus on eradicating violence against women. Zonta's strong support of eradicating violence against women and children began with the Zonta International Summit on Violence Against Women in 1995 which explored this pervasive problem. A related project has united Zonta and UNICEF with the government of Burkina Faso in preventing the practice of female circumcision.

Throughout its history, Zonta International has supported women's efforts to become leaders, explore new fields of study and otherwise stretch the current definitions of women's roles in society.

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship Awards program provides funds to women for graduate study in aerospace-related sciences and engineering. Established in 1938 after Amelia Earhart, a Zontian, was lost during her attempt to fly around the world, the program has awarded 900 fellowships to more than 600 women who have become scientists and engineers working on innovative research. An excellent example is 1982 fellow Janice Voss, now an astronaut for NASA who served as payload commander on a 1997 spacelab mission.

The Zonta International Foundation also provides financial support for women pursuing a variety of other careers.

Zonta:

encourages young women to pursue careers and seek leadership positions in public policy, government and volunteer organizations through the Young Women in Public Affairs Awards;
offers university scholarships in technical and vocational studies for women in Ireland through the Michael J. Freeman Fund; and
grants undergraduate scholarships for women in business management through the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Fund.

For more information about the Zonta Club of the Conejo Valley, California email as at zontcv@hotmail.com'