The Zontian June 2009, Issue Two

Membership Voice ofZonta International

The ZontianAdvancing the Status of Women Worldwide

2008-2010 Biennial Issue Two � June 2009

IN THIS ISSUE3 President’s Message6 2010 Convention7 2008 Convention Highlights

10 Zonta International and the United Nations12 Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program14 International Service Program19 Zontians You Should Know20 Welcome New Clubs

World Headquarters1211 West 22nd Street, Suite 900Oak Brook, Illinois 60523 USATelephone: +1 630-928-1400Fax: +1 630-928-1559www.zonta.org

Maureen Powers, Executive DirectorJason Friske, Deputy Executive Director

Design: Meyers Design, Inc.

TThhee ZZoonnttiiaann (ISSN 0279-3229) is published by ZontaInternational. As Zonta International’s officialpublication, this magazine carries authorized articlesregarding the organization’s programs and activities. Noresponsibility is assumed for opinions of other authors.Annual subscription rate: US$8.50 (USA, Canada,Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland); US$17(individual airmail outside USA). Publication officeaddress listed above.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TThhee ZZoonnttiiaann,Zonta International, 1211 West 22nd Street, Suite 900,Oak Brook, Illinois 60523 USA.

The

Zontian2008-2010 Biennial Issue Two – June 2009Volume 89 � Number 35

8

10

12

DID YOU KNOW . . .

Zonta International moved its headquarters office to Oak Brook, Illinois inFebruary. This has been an exciting time for the staff and board alike as wesettle into our new and modern surroundings on the ninth floor at 1211 West22nd Street.

We are especially proud of this new office building, where we are situated inone of the two towers of the Oak Brook Executive Plaza. In addition to a largerand more modern layout, the new offices also boast a tremendous amount ofnatural sunlight; while majority of the staff windows face north, the boardroom looks east with a view of Chicago’s unmistakable skyline. We are alsohappy to have such a nice space to display the many Zontian artifacts thatmembers and clubs have graciously donated.

We look forward to providing you with a full photographic tour of the officespace soon! In the meantime, please see a photo featuring a portion of theboard room. (We are adding new decorations daily!)

“Women as economic

actors and as

productive assets

are essential and

beneficial to society”

Beryl Sten

www.zonta.org 2008-2010 BIENNIAL ISSUE TWO 3

2009 marks two milestones of working towards women’s rights and genderequality:

� 90th anniversary of Zonta International

� 30th anniversary of CEDAW (UN Convention on the Elimination of AllForms of Discrimination against Women

The objectives of Zonta International include improvement of the legal,political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at theglobal and local level through service and advocacy.How we achieve these goals as a non-governmental organization that is

nonpartisan and nonsectarian is a question that we are frequently asked. To benonpartisan and nonsectarian means that Zonta is not a member of/affiliatedwith any political party or religious sect. Zonta is free to advocate for our goalswhich we adopt at conventions and those included in our international bylaws.Our Legislative Awareness and Advocacy (LAA) and UN Committees haverecently published a power-point tool for our districts/clubs/members for theiruse. It gives guidance, examples and suggestions on how to develop our skills inadvocating for women’s rights. Furthermore, a template letter has beendeveloped to support Governors and Clubs in the United States in advocatingfor the ratification of the CEDAW convention by the United States government.

Gender inequalitiesToday there is consensus about the strong correlation between sustainable

development and gender equality. Gender inequalities remain pervasiveworldwide. There are many inequalities and the gender gap persists. We mustask ourselves how we, as Zontians, can advocate in our countries to eliminategender discrimination in various areas such as:

Equal pay for equal workThe principle for equal pay for equal work value has gained wide acceptance

and is reflected in several ILO conventions, yet gaps in earnings between womenand men remain among the most persistent forms of inequality in the labormarket. This is due not only to a lack of the application of the principle of equalpay, but also to a lack of equal opportunities. OECD data for 2007 indicatesfemale participation rates in the labor force at 86.4% in Iceland but only 27.2%in Turkey. Countries with the highest rates of women in the workforce areIceland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, USA, UK, Australia, France –all are above the OECD average.Equal pay factors which contribute to the earnings gap are the undervaluation

of women’s skills and women’s lower share of discretionary payments. Theseinclude over-award/bonus payments, increments, commissions as well as limitedopportunities for overtime or shift work which adds to income.Equal opportunity factors which have a detrimental effect on women’s

income relative to men include occupational and industry segregation, access toeducation and training, the impact of family responsibilities and predominancein part-time and casual employment.UNIFEM’s report “Progress of the World’s Women 2008-2009” indicates

that many women fall through the cracks of the global campaign against povertybecause they are more likely than men to hold jobs that pay less and offer lessjob security. In developing nations, 60% or more of women workers outside theagricultural sector are in “informal” employment. This means temporary or

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE


4 THE ZONTIAN JUNE 2009

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

part-time jobs; self-employment; or work for piece-ratepayment. In the farming sector this proportion is evenhigher. These women are concentrated in jobs whereearnings are not only very low but highly unreliable. Thefurther down the chain of job quality and security, themore women you find.

Inequalities in pension and retirement benefits

Women also experience inequalities in pension andretirement benefits. Women live longer than men and, inmost cases, they are likely to spend long periods of time aswidows. Many older women have little income security inold age due to their unequal attachment to the labor forceas evidenced above (part-time, casual work, interruptedwork patterns for family reasons etc). In some communi-ties, widows are “cast out” (a cultural practice) and have nosupport from family or governments.

Equalizing Women in the Workplace

Recruitment and hiringEncourage recruitment of candidates in occupations

predominantly held by men and eliminate all forms ofdiscrimination based on gender stereotypes.

Career promotionAssure participation of women in decision-making and

governance. Worldwide women occupy less than 3% of thetop executive positions in the largest corporations. Globallywomen hold only 15% of the seats in parliaments. Promoteand support women as economic actors and productiveassets. This is essential and beneficial to society.

Women’s healthAll forms of violence against women are detrimental to

women’s health, whether it is verbal or physical violence.Ensure that women have equal access to adequate healthcare specific to their needs and location, especially in non-metropolitan areas.

EducationEncourage women and girls to enter nontraditional

fields of professions and provide educational support andvocational development.In the 2008 Global Gender Gap Report published by

World Economic Forum no country has yet achievedgender equality in economic participation and opportunity,educational attainment, political empowerment, or healthand survival. The closest to reach parity between men andwomen are four Nordic countries – Norway, Finland,Sweden and Iceland – each of which have managed to closeapproximately 80% of the gender gap in these four critical

areas. We can make progress in gender equality throughadvocacy in the above areas.

Conclusion – there is a lot more to do to improvewomen’s rights!

The Commission on Status of WomenOn February 25, 2008, at the opening of the

Commission on Status of Women at United NationsHeadquarters, the Secretary-General of the UnitedNations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon launched his campaign UNiTEto End Violence against Women, with the overall objectiveto raise public awareness and increase the political will andresources for preventing and responding to all forms ofviolence against women and girls in all parts of the world.The Secretary-General called on governments, civil society,women’s organizations, young people, the private sector,artists, the media, the entire United Nations system, andindividual women and men, to join forces in addressingthe global pandemic of violence against women and girls.Zonta International has, over many years, established

co-operation with, and support for, UNIFEM/UN TrustFund activities to eliminate violence against women. Weare responding to the Secretary-General’s campaign notonly through our ZISVAW program, but also through allof our international service projects and by combiningservice and advocacy.The Commission on the Status of Women held its fifty-

third session on March 2-13, 2009. The theme was “Theequal sharing of responsibilities between women and men,including care-giving in the context of HIV/AIDS”.Zonta International submitted a statement to the

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in which wehold General Consultative Status. Together with like-minded non-governmental organizations, ZontaInternational submitted three more statements.


These statements by Zonta International indicate that:

� “Zonta International supports the full implementa-tion by each signatory country of the commitmentsmade to the CEDAW Convention as a framework forestablishing substantive equality between women andmen in both private and public spheres.”

� “Legislative and policy initiatives, the allocation ofresources by Governments and from other resources,the engagement of both men and women and, inparticular, the empowerment of women are all neces-sary to move forward toward the equal sharing ofresponsibilities between women and men.”

Zonta’s Service and Award ProgramsOver the years Zonta, through its international service

projects, has addressed some of the important issues forwomen’s rights and gender equality in the context ofCSW’s priority theme. We continue to do so in ourInternational Service and ZISVAW projects this Biennium:

� Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIVin Rwanda, a country that suffers extremely hardfrom the after-effects of genocide;

� Safe Cities for Women in Guatemala City and SanSalvador. Guatemala and El Salvador have rates ofurban violence and violent homicides well above theregional level;

� Reduction of Obstetric Fistula in Liberia, a countryin the stage of recovery following 15 years of crisisdue to civil war;

� Ending violence against women in Cambodia, withthe aim to, inter alia, provide legal aid to womenvictims of violence;

� Combating physical violence against women inEgypt, supporting, for example, the decree onprohibiting the performance of genital mutilation;

� A community-based center for women victims ofviolence in Syria.

Emerging issues like the global financial crisis are boundto negatively impact on the lives of women. Zontians aretrustworthy – we have democratically adopted theseInternational Service and ZISWAV projects and promisedto provide financial support to fund them. Please let uskeep our promises to these women who rely on us to fulfillour commitments. DONATE to our Foundation!

Without education there can be no gender equality, noprogress and no prosperity.

Zonta is proud of its three educational programs, whichcover three separate fields at three different levels ofeducation!

� Amelia Earhart Fellowships are awarded to womenfor graduate study in aerospace-related science andengineering;

� Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarshipssupport women undergraduate students preparing forcareers in business management;

� Young Women in Public Affairs Awards honor youngwomen in secondary level or pre-university schoolswho demonstrate a commitment to leadership inpublic affairs, public policy and community service.

These women award winners at club, district andinternational levels are our future and we have promisedthem our support in their careers. Your donation will bewelcomed and appreciated.Although unemployment in the industrialized countries

is increasing we need to honor our objectives. Let us unitetogether as members in our clubs and districts to help eachother through these hard economic times. Close friendsmay be affected by the financial crisis and need oursupport. Let them know that we care and will take the timeto listen and assist where possible.

Women in Need – need our help and donations NOW!

Zontians and their families are promised some Texas-size hospitality when they come to San Antonio for theZonta International Convention in 2010. In the AlamoCity, there’s plenty to do and see – whatever your age orinterest.

From its beautiful Riverwalk to a first place seat at anaction-packed Texas rodeo to world class museums, golfcourses and adventure parks – San Antonio and thesurrounding Texas Hill Country have it all. Austin, theTexas capital, and San Marcos, home to the world’sbiggest outlet shopping mall are just down the road. Forthose who would like to experience even more of theneighboring area, there are the colorful and ethnically-diverse and historic towns of New Braunfels, Fredericksburg,Gruene, Wimberley that Luckenbach. There is so muchto see and do you might want to take a few extra daysto sample it all. With the economy being what it is andthe lower value of the US dollar, you will probably getsome great deals.

As for the convention itself, everything will be convenientlylocated at our headquarters venue: the Marriott Rivercenterand Marriott Riverwalk Hotel. Convention headquarters islocated steps away from the San Antonio Riverwalk as wellas many of San Antonio’s famous landmarks, shopping,dining and the city’s most popular entertainment spots.The wonderfully appointed hotel guestrooms comeequipped with cable and satellite television as well ashigh speed wireless internet access. There’s great foodon the premises and at nearby restaurants.

After a rousing and inspiring opening ceremony Saturdayafternoon, you will be taken by bus to the Knibbe Ranchin the beautiful Texas Hill Country, with its rolling hillsand sparkling springs. Here you will have a chance toobserve a real Texas rodeo – with bull-riding and barrelracing, and a chance to test your newly-learned linedancing skills on the dance floor. For those who prefer tojust listen, we will have a great band playing the best ofcountry and some “good ole rock ‘n roll.” You will alsohave a chance to meet Oreo the Bull, made famous byour bull-riding Zonta International President Beryl Sten.It’s definitely a family-style event, so bring along the littlebuckaroos.

And while you are attending meetings, your family andfriends can visit the Alamo and the numerous othermuseums and historic sites in the city, spend some timeon the golf course, or enjoy thrill rides at one of thenumerous theme parks in the area, such as SeaWorld orSix Flags Fiesta. No one will be bored – WE PROMISE!

Mark your calendars now, and plan on bringing thefamily. June 2010 will be here before you know it!Darlene Kurtz, our convention chairman, and your hostsin District 10 can’t wait to welcome you.

Y’ALL COME!

SAN ANTONIO 2010: 25 JUNE – 30 JUNE 2010

A Texas-StyleCelebration for the

Whole Family


Friday the 27th of June through Wednesday the 2nd of July 2008,two thousand Zontians from sixty-seven countries gathered inRotterdam for the 59th Zonta International Convention. The hostvenue for the event was the beautiful de Doelen, which housesboth a concert hall and convention center. Keynote speakerswere Professor Akua Kuenyehia, the first vice president of theInternational Criminal Court, the Hague and Professor TheaHilhorst, a professor of humanitarian aid and reconstruction atWageningen University in the Netherlands.

More than 2,000 Zontians came together in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, for an unforgettable 59th Zonta International Convention last July.

Global Empowerment Through Local Action

HighlightsConvention

2008Rotterdam

FRIDAY, 27 JUNE The beginning of the convention was marked by a flag hoisting event. � As the first Zontian to register for the 2008 Convention,2008-2010 District 6 Governor Buffie Kelly earned the opportunity to raise the United States flag. Registration began in the morning, followedby district meetings in the afternoon. � To celebrate the gathering of so many Zontians, immediate past president Olivia Ferry made a specialgift to the foundation in honor of District 18, the District with the largest percentage of participating members: for every Zontian in attendancefrom District 18, past International President Ferry donated US$2 to the foundation.

SATURDAY, 28 JUNE The 59th Zonta International Convention opened with the posting of colors. The ceremony began with the entrance ofthe flag of the host country, the Netherlands, carried by Lea Laarakker, a Dutch Zontian now living in Thailand. The Dutch flag was followedby the flag of the Philippines, in honor of 2006-2008 Zonta International President Olivia Ferry, which was followed by the flag of ZontaInternational. The flags of each of the Zonta countries were carried on stage by their country representatives in order of the establishment ofZonta in that country. � Past President Olivia Ferry welcomes convention attendees. � A new Zonta Rose was presented by Past PresidentOlivia Ferry and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria van der Hoeven. The rose was named the Zonta+ rose during the opening ceremony.The new bright yellow T-Hybrid rose was developed by breeder Lex+ in the Netherlands and introduced to the Dutch market in February 2007.

SUNDAY, 29 JUNE A Memorial Service was held to remember and pay tribute to Zontians who had passed away during the prior Biennium. It also marked the first day of business sessions, which continued through Tuesday and covered a broad range of topics. The sessions beganwhen European Commissioner Nellie Kroes delivered a talk on the status of women in Europe and the western world. Zontians were giventhe opportunity to meet the candidates for the 2008-2010 Biennium, and to ask them questions. � In the evening a program called “GoingDutch” allowed Zontians to meet Dutch families in informal venues over dinner. � Finally, a full day was complete with the ZontaInternational Foundation Reception was given for select foundation donors.


“…If everyone in Zonta mentoredtwo women and those women youmentored passed on the favour,very soon 132,000 successfulwomen would have benefited fromthis. If they passed on the favouronce again, we’d have a quarter ofa million people in just a few years.There would be a snowball effect– we could make a really bigdifference. … do what you can to help and inspire other women …”

MONDAY, 30 JUNE Monday marked the day that Zontians voted on the leadership for the 2008-2010 Biennium. In addition to this importantelection, Zontians enjoyed a civic reception generously provided by the city of Rotterdam. � The Lord Mayor of Rotterdam, Mr. Ivo Opstelten,welcomed all Zontians and their guests to the Laurenskerk, a church that remains the city’s only late-Gothic building that has survived fromRotterdam’s medieval origins.

TUESDAY, 1 JULY On Tuesday, a mixture of fun and business prevailed. Zontians enjoyed Mediterranean and Caribbean foods atduring a culinary adventure dubbed the Lustful Luncheon, which included belly dance performances and other entertainment. Thiswas followed by break out sessions which focused on corporate social responsibility. Zontians attended the programs based oninterest; each sessions related to the convention’s theme of Global Empowerment throughAction.

WEDNESDAY, 2 JULY Wednesday began with the Installation Ceremony of the 2008-2010District Governors and the Zonta International Board. Afterwards, Zontians enjoyed anoutdoor picnic in Rotterdam’s Old West Park. Later in the day, a Gala Concert was performedby the world-famous Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, led by female conductor, Ms. XianZhang and made possible by sponsors ABN AMRO Bank N.V. The day ended with a finalfarewell party, which lasted until midnight, and marked a the last occasion for all Zontians tocelebrate the 59th Zonta International Convention.


“…Zonta’s Course for the Future and our 2006-2008 biennial goals emphasize the importance of advocacy in accomplishing our mission. …we released two position papers. … Trafficking of Women and Girls … The second paper strongly endorses policies, legislation and programs that support and improve women’s and girls’ access and full participation in science, mathematics and technology education and professional advancement….”Olivia FerryZonta International President2006-2008

When I was in Rotterdam,I mentioned to VivienneShen that I had been

invited by the Foundation forWomen’s Rights Promotion andDevelopment to give some presenta-tions about CEDAW (the Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms ofDiscrimination against Women) inOctober, and to dialogue with women

in Taiwan about using the Conventionto promote women’s rights there. Sheimmediately suggested that, if thetiming was right, I should try to bethere for the famous Double Ten, theTaiwanese Independence celebration. Iwas anxious to return to Taiwan,where I had visited the previoussummer and enjoyed the ever generoushospitality of our Zonta sisters,organized graciously by Amy Lai.I had been invited to make a few

remarks at the Double-Ten Tea Partyof the National Women’s League,whose President is the esteemed Zontamember, Cecelia Koo. The League,founded in 1950, now focuses itsefforts on social welfare programs.From the enthusiasm of the more than300 attendees, including manydiplomats, the League’s work ismaking a real impact.

That night, the 10/10 celebration,Amy and Dorothy Lin and I wereinvited to the National Guest Housefor the festivities, including thespectacular Taiwanese opera on thelawn. As a special honor for me,Cecelia had arranged a privateinterview with the First Lady ofTaiwan. We chatted about the purposeof my visit and she was surprised tolearn that the United States is one ofthe few countries that have not yet

ratified the CEDAW Convention.District 31 held a luncheon

attended by about 150 members fromall over Taiwan and graciouslyorganized by District UN Chairman,Sylvia Chang of the ZC of Taipei II. Idelivered one of my CEDAW presen-tations and was showered withthoughtful gifts from many of theclubs attending.The next day began the activities

that brought me to Taiwan. Thewomen’s organizations of Taiwan arebeginning in earnest to embark on aproject to write an alternative report tothe CEDAW Convention. In 2007,Taiwan expressed to the UnitedNations its willingness to become aState Party to the CEDAWConvention. However, the UNSecretary General was not able toaccept their document as Taiwan is


A Memorable Visit to Taiwan and the PhilippinesBy Jackie Shapiro, Chairman, Zonta International United Nations Committee

Amy Lai hosts dinner for Zontians and Taiwanese friends

A shadow report to CEDAW iswritten by an NGO or group of NGOsand provides additional informationto the CEDAW Committee regardingthe official report of a Member State.The “shadow report” usually elabo-rates on an issue or issues of concernto which the official report has givenlittle or no attention.

An alternative report is onesubmitted when there is no officialreport from the Member State, eitherbecause none was written or becauseit was not submitted yet, so it couldnot be the basis on which NGOsreported.


currently not a Member State of theUnited Nations. It is, however, myopinion and that of others, that sincethe government of Taiwan was willingto undertake the legally binding treatyobligations of the CEDAWConvention to establish genderequality and women’s rights, women’sorganizations could evaluate progressand obstacles to achieving thesecommitments using the CEDAWConvention as the standard.

Over a three-day-period, I presentedtwo papers, one for two differentaudiences at the Taiwan Women’sCenter on the Mechanisms of theAlternative Report and one on CEDAWas a Tool for Promoting SubstantiveGender Equality at the National TaiwanUniversity. At the conclusion of thesemeetings, NGO participants, whoseexpertise in women’s affairs rangedincluded law, labor, health, traffickingand violence against women,committed to participate in workgroups, and to produce an alternativereport to the CEDAW Convention forTaiwan by Spring 2009.It is a goal of the Zonta

International United NationsCommittee and the ZontaInternational Advocacy Committee toencourage Zonta members in everyZonta country to become involved inwriting NGO alternative or “shadow”reports on government progress infulfilling their legal obligations to thewomen of their country. Every fouryears States Parties are required to

submit to the CEDAW Committee forthorough review a report on progressmade, particularly in areas of concernthat the Committee identified in thelast reporting. The Committeeappreciates NGO information and hascreated opportunities for NGOs tomake written submissions or oralstatements when each country isreporting.Because I was making a trip to Asia

my friend Erlinda Panlilio, invited meto visit the Philippines to participate inthe District 17 UN Day Celebrationwith around 300 attending, including Governor Narudee Kiengsiri from

Thailand.I spoke about the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs), as theDistrict is in process of making adeclaration to support them. It wasalso timely because the UN had justheld a meeting on 25 September toevaluate where the world stands infulfilling the MDGs by the target dateof 2015. It is clear that much moreattention needs to be paid to acceler-ating gender equality and empoweringwomen, as women are acknowledgedto be central to the achievement of allthe MDGs.I visited the Community Center of

the Centennial Village in Taguig,supported by the ZC of Makati andEnvirons. This Center supports 780families. We also visited a housingproject for low-income families thatthe Club is currently in the process ofbuilding, and will eventually provide40 family housing units. I then hadthe opportunity to visit the MarillacHills Psychological Center - a centerfor sexually abused young women andgirls (ages 6-17). The Center housesbetween 200 and 700 girls at anygiven time. The Club supports muchneeded psychological services. Othersupport for the Center comes fromgovernment and private funding.When I left Manila I thought to

myself once again how fortunate I amto have had the opportunity to makethis trip and how much I owe to allmy Zonta sisters. I must single outAmy, Linda and Livie for making itthe unbelievably wonderful experiencethat it was.

Thank you all!

Jackie Shapiro, Erlinda Panlilio

Left to Right: Cecelia Koo; JackieShapiro; First Lady of Taiwan, ChristineChow Ma; Wife of Foreign Minister ofTaiwan, Lena Ou

According to the MillenniumDevelopment Goals Report 2008:

� Of the 113 countries that havefailed to achieve gender parity inboth primary and secondaryschool enrolment by the targetdate of 2005, only 18 are likely toachieve the goal by 2015.

� Almost two thirds of employedwomen in the developing worldare in vulnerable jobs as ownaccount or unpaid family workers.

� In one third of developing countries, women account forless than 10 per cent of parliamentarians.

� More than 500,000 prospectivemothers in developing countriesdie annually from childbirth or ofcomplications from pregnancy.

Community Center of the CentennialVillage in Taguig; with clean-birthingkits distributed by the Center

By Ellen SmithZonta International Program Coordinator

It is often mentioned that in thefirst two years in which the AmeliaEarhart Fellowships were offered,

there was not a single qualifiedapplicant. Seventy years later, theInternational Amelia EarhartCommittee will have the unenviabletask of evaluating the amazinglyqualified candidates to determinewhich 35 scholars will be granted theprestigious AE Fellowship.Meeting early this year, they will

pour over pages of transcripts,recommendations and essays fromdistinguished women at the top ofmale-dominated fields. Under theskilled Chairmanship of 1976-1977Fellow Holly Anderson, of the ZontaClub of Toronto, familiar AECommittee Members Candace Kohland Susan Riding will be joined bySusanna Zerbini. An AE Fellow inboth 1973-1974 and 1975-1976,Susanna joined the Zonta Club ofBologna in 1983 and was tapped byZonta International President BerylSten to serve on the AE Committeethis Biennium.Susanna brings a unique perspective

to the Committee as the only univer-sity professor among the ranks,rounding out a group alreadyconsisting of distinguished past AEFellows who moved on to becomeZontians. She has over twenty years ofexperience in teaching, research andpublishing on the application of spacetechniques to geodesy and

geodynamics – the study of regionaland local deformations of the Earth’scrust; in particular, monitoring,interpreting and modeling short- andlong-term vertical motions by meansof the Global Positioning System andother space techniques and high-

precision terrestrial gravimetry.Susanna’s acute awareness of therealities of today’s PhD program willundoubtedly make her contributionsto the committee invaluable.Susanna replaces Monika Auweter-

Kurtz who stepped down from the AE


ZONTA INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS


Committee at the end of the 2006-2008 Biennium after being namedPresident of the University ofHamburg, Germany in 2006. Monika,an AE Fellow in 1979-1980 and 1980-1981 and member of the Zonta Clubof Stuttgart, became the first femalepresident of the university andhighlighted some of her actions andtheories in a thoughtful keynotespeech at the 2008 RotterdamConvention in July. Addressing thetopic of “Improving Career PathsToward Leading Positions for Womenin Science and Technology,” Monikanoted some of the alarming statisticswhen it comes to the access to andprevalence of women and girls inscience and technology fields of studyand employment – not in breakinginto these areas, but in achievinghigher levels of success. Concludingwith her thesis for improving thissituation, she noted that nearly 40% ofnewly appointed scientists at theUniversity of Hamburg are femaleprofessors, taking all disciplines intoaccount. It is clear that in her role asPresident of the University ofHamburg, she continues to fulfill herZontian duty of advancing the statusof women worldwide.More recent classes of AE Fellows

are also forging ahead in the name ofscience and technology. In 2006,

Claire Tomlin was granted a “GeniusAward” from the MacArthurFoundation. Officially called theMacArthur Fellowship, the award isgiven to approximately 20 individualseach year, and is famously a no-strings-attached US$500,000 grant paid outover five years. According to theMacArthur Foundation, the grant is“an investment in a person’s originality,insight and potential.” Zontarecognized the same qualities in Clairea decade prior and awarded her twoAE Fellowships, in 1996-1997 andagain in 1997-1998. Claire is both aprofessor and doctoral student advisorin the Aeronautics and Astronauticsdepartment at Stanford University andthe Electrical Engineering andComputer Sciences department at theUniversity of California Berkeley. Shehas published numerous academicpapers and continues her award-winning research on topics includinghybrid control systems and air trafficcontrol automation.

Another notable Fellow from the1990s is Naoko Sumino Yamazaki. A1994-1995 Fellow and native ofChiba, Japan, Naoko was selected in1999 by Japan’s National SpaceDevelopment Agency (NASDA) asone of three Japanese astronautcandidates for the International Space

Station (ISS) and was certified as anastronaut in September 2001. In June2004, she began the certificationprocess to become a Mission Specialist(MS) at the NASA Johnson SpaceCenter (JSC) and was certified inFebruary 2006. In May 2006, she wasselected as a crew support astronautthroughout the training for the spaceshuttle mission for the first launch ofthe Japanese Experiment Module,Kibo, to the International SpaceStation (ISS). It was announced inNovember 2008 that she will be thesecond Japanese woman in space whenshe fulfills scheduled travel to theInternational Space Station (ISS) for14 days on the Atlantis in February2010, or later. Naoko has been anactive AE Fellow representative in hernative Japan, helping the Zonta Clubsof Tokyo I and II celebrate AmeliaEarhart Day (January 11) in 2004 byspeaking about her experiences as anastronaut and member of the interna-tional space station team at a Zontaluncheon.Even the most recent classes of AE

Fellows are off to an impressive start –the 2008 Fellows continue to representdiverse subsections of a distinct field –devoting their research to aeronautics,physics, planetary science, and varioustypes of engineering in order to pursuecareers in the aerospace field. Alreadynotable 2008 Fellows have taken onfaculty roles, provided assistance toNASA and needless to say, contributedto groundbreaking research across theboard. Additionally, many of theFellows have noted their dedication tomentoring a younger generation ofgirls to pursue education and careers inthe science and engineering fields. The2009 class will no doubt be an equallyimposing group – the top one-thirdselected from the 105 applicationsreceived this year.While diverse in age, geography and

specific fields of study, all the AEFellows have in common theirembodiment of the Zonta mission –advancing the status of womenworldwide.

Dr. Monika Auweter-Kurtz, President ofthe University of Hamburg, AE Fellow

L-R, Holly Anderson, Susan Riding andCandace Kohl


ZONTA INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

2008-2010 INTERNATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAM:

REDUCING OBSTETRIC FISTULA IN LIBERIA

Obstetric fistula is adevastating childbirthinjury that leaveswomen incontinent,

ashamed and often isolated from theircommunities. It is a stunning exampleof poor maternal and reproductivehealth, and an indication of unaccept-ably high levels of maternal death anddisability. At least two million womenin Africa, Asia and the Arab region areliving with the condition, and some50,000 to 100,000 new cases developeach year. For every woman affected byfistula, another six or seven have diedfrom obstructed labor (DoctorsWithout Borders). Affecting the most powerless

members of society, obstetric fistulaoccurs disproportionately amongimpoverished girls and women,especially those living far from medicalservices in rural communities indeveloping countries. Obstetric fistulais uncommon in countries where

births are attended by skilled medicalworkers and emergency care workersare available and where women candetermine the number of theirchildren.The persistence of fistula is a signal

that health systems are failing to meet

the needs of women. Like maternalmortality, fistula is almost entirelypreventable. A simple surgery cannormally repair the injury, with successrates as high as 90 percent for experi-enced surgeons. This operationrequires specially trained surgeons andsupport staff, as well as two or moreweeks of post-operative care. Carefulscreening and management prior tosurgery is necessary due to thepresence of other health conditionssuch as malnutrition, anemia andmalaria. Sadly, most women with thecondition are not aware of, cannotafford or cannot reach services evenwhen available. It has been estimatedthat approximately 7,000 women aretreated annually – just 10 percent ofnew cases – barely touching thebacklog of 2 million women or more. The average cost of fistula

treatment and post-operative care isjust US$300. Few health facilities areable to provide fistula treatment due to

the limited numberof health profes-sionals withappropriate skills. Inaddition, staff,equipment and spaceshortages arecommon.3 Successfulfistula repair dependson teams of skilledpractitionerssupporting oneanother anddelivering acontinuum of care.After surgery,

most women canresume full and

NORTHATLANTICOCEAN

Robertsport

Robertsport

Buchanan

Greenville

Voinjama

Gbamga

ZwedruHarbel

MONROVIA

Yekepa

MountWuteve

CÔTED’IVOIRE

GUINEASIERRALEONE

0 3030 60mi60km

By Cathe Wood

productive lives. They can usually bearmore children, though delivery bycaesarean section is recommended toprevent fistula from reoccurring. Butsurgery is only the first step; because of the social and psychologicalconsequences, women also needsupport to rebuild self-esteem and toreintegrate into society, especially ifthey have been living with thecondition for many years. In manycases, the disability has eroded theirsocial and economic status or wornaway their sense of self worth. Fullrecovery may require counselingservices, peer support groups, literacyand vocational skills training, andhealth education. Community sensiti-zation helps to correct misperceptionssurrounding the condition.

In many places, obstetric fistula isso misunderstood that no word orphrase describes the conditionprecisely: it is referred to simply as “theurine problem” or “the childbirthinjury.” A woman with fistula may becharacterized as “destroyed” or “shewho is no longer a woman.” Fistulasurvivors are often barred frompreparing food and may be excludedfrom prayer or other religiousobservances. The injury leaves womenwith few opportunities to earn a living,and some may turn to begging. Thepain and loneliness associated withfistula is often compounded by a senseof shame. In some communities, thecondition is perceived not as a medicalcondition, but as a punishment or acurse for an assumed wrongdoing.Many women with fistula are isolatedand hear little of developments in theoutside world. Those unaware that a

cure is possible may become resigned,demoralized or deeply depressed.While some women with fistuladisplay amazing courage and resilience,many succumb to illness and despair.Suicide and high rates of depressionhave been reported among womenliving with the condition.Debunking myths and providing

accurate information about its causesand cure can facilitate prevention,encourage compassion and lessen thestigma. The knowledge that fistula istreatable can spell hope for women onthe verge of giving up. By educatingcommunities about fistula prevention,treatment and rehabilitation, lives canbe transformed.Poverty is the primary root cause of

obstetric fistula because it is associated

with poor health, stunted growth,early childbearing and limited access tomaternal health care. Childbearingbefore the pelvis is fully developed, aswell as malnutrition and small stature,put women and girls at greater risk forobstructed labor. Gender inequities,including lack of schooling and powerwithin a household, often conspire toprevent a woman from planning herpregnancies or arranging forappropriate obstetric care.Poverty robs women of choices and

closes off options. In some cultures,families believe that early marriage canprotect a girl’s reputation and secureher future. But it can also mean thedenial of the right to education, goodhealth, economic opportunity, friend-ship and the freedom to choose whom,when or whether to marry.In addition to being a major public

health concern, obstetric fistula is – by


“The consequences of fistula are life shattering. The babyoften dies and the woman is left with chronic incontinence,greatly diminishing her prospects for work and family life.”

– Thoraya Ahmed ObaidExecutive Director, UNFPA

What is obstetric fistula?Obstetric fistula is a hole in the

birth canal caused by a protracted,obstructed labour without promptmedical intervention, usually aCaesarean section. The woman is leftwith chronic incontinence and, inmost cases, a stillborn baby. Thesmell of leaking urine or faeces, orboth, is constant and humiliating,often driving loved ones away. Leftuntreated, fistula can lead to chronicmedical problems, including ulcera-tions, kidney disease, and nervedamage in the legs.

Fistulas are virtually unheard of indeveloped countries due to the useof cesarean sections and othertreatments that prevent prolonged,obstructed labor, but they are stillcommon in poor, rural areas.

Three hundred US dollars for surgery,post-Operative care, and rehabilita-tion is a small price to restore awoman’s health and dignity. UNFPAestimates that:

�$5 covers the weekly costs offood and water,

�$10 covers transportation to ahospital,

�$60 covers a Caesarean section,and

�$80 covers the surgical instru-ments needed for fistula surgery.

Where fistula is common, so tooare unacceptably high rates ofmaternal mortality:

Of the more than 536,000maternal deaths in 2005, 99 per centoccurred in developing countries.1

A woman living in Niger has a 1in 7 lifetime risk of dying inchildbirth or pregnancy.

In Sweden, the risk is about 1 in30,000.2


any standard – an issue of rights andequity. The continued existence offistula in resource-poor areas isevidence of the profound social andinstitutional neglect of girls andwomen. Yet policymakers and healthproviders often fail to recognize thescope and severity of this disability.The absence of preventive care,including emergency obstetric care,violates the human rights of womenand girls, especially their right tohealth care and, in particular, toreproductive health care.Ending the needless deaths and

suffering of women and girlsworldwide is critical to development.One of the eight MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) calls fora 75 percent reduction in maternalmortality by 2015. Yet progresstowards this goal, sanctioned by 189countries in 2000, remains slow.Moreover, in some countries maternal

deaths and injuries are on the rise. Yetthere are grounds for hope.Governments, even in the poorestcountries, can deliver effectiveinterventions provided there is the willto do so.Fistula prevention is a matter of

improving maternal health. The aim isto make pregnancy and childbirthsafer from the start and, to ensure thatwomen are able to obtain timelyemergency obstetric care. Three key

areas for immediate action are familyplanning, skilled medical care at birthand access to emergency obstetric care.In the long run, poverty eradication,delayed childbearing and theempowerment of women and girls willalso reduce the risk of obstetric fistula.In 2008-2010 Zonta International

is responding to this need by providingUS$450,000 to UNFPA for its workto reduce obstetric fistula in Liberia.Liberia is a country still recovering

Film Highlights the Struggle of Fistula SurvivorsThe award-winning documentary, A Walk to Beautiful,

follows the journeys of Ayehu, Zewdie, Almaz, Yeneneshand Wubete to Addis Ababa to seek treatment for thedevastating childbirth injury that has left each of themincontinent. From their remote villages, over miles of dustysteppes and sprawling lowlands, the women travel to thecapital city to reclaim their dignity after years of socialostracism.

FistulaNetwork.orgA new Internet portal has been launched to exchange and

share information about obstetric fistula. FistulaNetwork.orgincludes resources on prevention, treatment and reintegra-tion as well as the latest news and updates on events andactivities. Over time, country pages will map out the sitesproviding treatment care, the partners engaged in

supporting fistula and current activities. The new site,developed by UNFPA on behalf of the internationalObstetric Fistula Working Group, is intended to serve as atool to improve coordination and collaboration in theUNFPA Campaign to End Fistula. Partners are invited toregister and submit information on events, activities,publications and more.

The Global Campaign to End FistulaIn 2003, UNFPA and partners launched a global

Campaign to End Fistula. The Campaign is now active inmore than 45 countries across Africa, Asia and the Arabregion. The Campaign focuses on three key areas:preventing fistula, treating affected women, andsupporting women after surgery. For more information, orto make a donation, visit www.EndFistula.org

from the recently ended civil wars.During the fifteen years of fighting thehealthcare system was all but destroyed,and most medical personnel wereforced to leave the country. With sofew medical facilities available, andlimited access to even these facilitiesthe rate of maternal mortality andmorbidity increased dramatically.Currently, 578 out of every 100,000pregnant women die in childbirth andmany more face severe complications.UNFPA will provide treatment,

including medical supplies andequipment, free of cost, to women whocannot afford it. Specialty training willbe offered to local doctors, raising thequality of care available. Those trainedwill in turn be able to teach themethods they have learned, increasingthe number of people capable ofperforming the surgery and thenumber of women who will haveaccess to care. Many women need help reinte-

grating into society followingtreatment, having been isolated andscorned for so long. UNFPA willprovide counseling to help with thetransition, a new set of clothes for thewomen to begin their new lives and an

income-generating starter kit to helpthem learn to support themselves. One of the difficulties surrounding

treatment of obstetric fistula is theculture of silence that forbids itsdiscussion. Many women, while awareof the effects of fistula, are not awareof its causes, and many do not knowthat there is treatment available. Byeducating women future cases ofobstetric fistula will be prevented, andmore women already affected will seektreatment. Education will also help tolessen the stigma attached to thewomen affected, as it is still a commonbelief that obstetric fistula is sent as apunishment for wrongdoing and is notseen as a valid medical condition.

UNFPA, the United NationsPopulation Fund, is an internationaldevelopment agency that promotes the rightof every woman, man and child to enjoya life of health and equal opportunity.

UNFPA supports countries in usingpopulation data for policies and programmesto reduce poverty and to ensure that everypregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe,every young person is free of HIV/AIDS,and every girl and woman is treatedwith dignity and respect.


1 WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA/The World Bank. Maternal Mortality in 2005. Geneva 2007: WHO.2 WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA/The World Bank. Maternal Mortality in 2005. Geneva 2007: WHO.3 WHO. 2006. Obstetric Fistula: Guiding Principles for Clinical Management and Program Development.

Geneva: WHO.4 WHO. 2006. Obstetric Fistula: Guiding Principles for Clinical Management and Program Development.

Geneva: WHO.5 UNFPA. 2005. State of World Population, p. 2.

Three key strategies:

PreventionThe most effective way to

prevent fistula is to ensure accessto quality maternal health careservices, including family planning,skilled birth attendance andemergency obstetric care. In thelong run, prevention also entailstackling underlying social andeconomic inequities through effortsaimed at empowering women andgirls, enhancing their life opportu-nities, and delaying marriage andchildbirth.

TreatmentObstetric fistula is a treatable

condition. A simple surgery canusually repair the injury, withsuccess rates as high as 90 percentfor uncomplicated cases.4

RehabilitationFistula treatment goes far beyond

repairing tissue. Many patients willneed emotional, economic andsocial support after surgery to fullyrecover from their ordeal.

Notwithstanding laws in somecountries that prohibit earlymarriage, 82 million girls indeveloping countries who are nowaged 10 to 17 will be married beforetheir 18th birthday.5


Zontian Luella Hoffman admitsto living life “her way”. Thisphilosophy of life and her

trademark leadership marked her as avital member of the Zonta InternationalBoard and the Zonta InternationalFoundation. After forty years ofdedicated service, Luella has beenhonored with a Lifetime AchievementAward at an Annual Awards Banquethosted by the Zonta Club of St.Charles-Geneva-Batavia, Illinois.Luella grew up on a family farm

with her three siblings; she attended asmall country school with just twelveother students in her high schoolgraduating class. After attendingcollege at Bradley University and theUniversity of Oklahoma, she moved toSt. Charles, Illinois and began whatwould be a forty-year career inbanking. Luella was promoted to bankofficer in only eight years, was quicklyidentified as an expert in mortgagelending, and named vice president ofthe State Bank, now the Harris Bank.In addition to her banking career

and her faithful commitment toZonta, “Lu” also served on governanceboards in her community – amongthem a humane society, an addictiontreatment center and a communitycollege. In the early 1970’s she waselected and served as St. Charles CityClerk, all the while assisting otherbanks – always giving sound guidancefor financial decisions.Despite her dedication to the local

community, Zonta and its missionhave been Lu’s overriding passion.Shortly after she joined the ZontaClub of St. Charles-Geneva-Batavia in1962, her talents for leadership wererecognized. She served as clubpresident from 1967-1969, thenmoved on to the district board whereshe served as area director andtreasurer. Local club and districtmembership grew significantly duringthat time due to Lu’s mentoring andinfluence. During her tenure on her

district board, Lu also served as ZontaInternational’s finance chair, thenassistant treasurer.After her first convention in 1968,

Lu never failed to attend nineteenconsecutive Zonta InternationalConventions. She has traveled totwenty-three countries and haswonderful stories from each. Duringthe 1976 convention in Germany,Luella was elected Zonta Internationaltreasurer and served three terms.Lu was opposed to the 1986

purchase of the building on WestRandolph Street in Chicago becauseshe believed the costs of renovating thebuilding from a “fish market” intorespectable office space outweighed thebenefits. It was despite, or because ofher position on the building purchase,that Lu was elected to the ZontaInternational Foundation Board from1993 until 1997, where she served as

treasurer (1993-1994) and laterpresident (1995-1997). Following anextensive fundraisingcampaign during hertime on the board,the foundation raisedone million dollars topay off the building’smortgage. The finalpayment was madejust ten years fromthe date of purchase.Upon completion ofher years at theinternational level,Lu served as founda-tion ambassador forDistrict 6.Given her remark-

able contributions, itshould be no surprisethat the collegescholarships that theZonta Club of St.Charles-Geneva-Batavia offer in

Luella’s honor were established morethan 20 years ago. By the time youread this article, two very worthyyoung woman will have received thesescholarships, and Lu will have beenthere to congratulate them. Perhapsmore importantly, the Zonta Club ofSt. Charles-Geneva-Batavia will havehonored Luella Hoffman for a lifetimeof dedication to Zonta International.If you would like to send Lu cards

and letters full of memories and goodwishes they may be mailed to:

Luella M. HoffmanZonta Club of St. Charles-Geneva-BataviaPO Box 811St. Charles, IL 60174 USA

Submitted by Caryl Van OvermeirenZonta Club of St.Charles-Geneva-Batavia, Illinois, USA

Zontians You Should Know

Luella Hoffman: Her Life, Her Way

WELCOME NEW ZONTA CLUBS

Zonta InternationalAdvancing the Status of Women Worldwide

1211 West 22nd Street, Suite 900Oak Brook, Illinois 60523 USATelephone: +1 630-928-1400Fax: +1 630-929-1559www.zonta.org

The Zonta International “family” around the world extends a warm welcome to our new Zonta Clubs. We rejoice in the experienceyou will share with us and with those you serve!

As of April 2008, Zonta International has 1,206 clubs in 67 countries and geographic areas.

Zonta ClubsMembers of Zonta International

De Haan, BelgiumDistrict 27, Area 5

Greater Sacramento, United StatesDistrict 9, Area 1

Koln 2008, GermanyDistrict 29, Area 1

La Union San Fernando City, PhilippinesDistrict 17, Area 4

Leer-Ostfriesland, GermanyDistrict 27, Area 3

Lier, BelgiumDistrict 29, Area 6

Metz, FranceDistrict 27, Area 2

Nidda-Oberhessen, GermanyDistrict 28, Area 2

Southern Ocean County, USADistrict 3, Area 2

Troy, USADistrict 7, Area 2

Viborg, DenmarkDistrict 13, Area 1

Give to the Zonta International Foundation! Your gift of anysize is appreciated and will support educational, internationaland violence prevention programs throughout the world. Thereare several ways to contribute, including by check, credit cardor wire transfer.

A contribution form is necessary for any form of payment and may be downloaded at zonta.org, by selecting ZontaInternational Foundation from the menu on the left. A link to the contribution form is in the top right section of the page.

The Zontian June 2009, Issue Two

Documents

Transcript of The Zontian June 2009, Issue Two