Corvallis, OR, April 17, 2018 …Rebekah Ballard of Monroe, Oregon, was named the recipient of the 2018 Zonta Club of Corvallis Young Women in Public Affairs Award. The award is accompanied by a $1,500.00 scholarship.

The goal of the Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award Program is to encourage more young women to participate in public affairs by recognizing a young woman’s commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to the empowerment of women. 

Applicants are asked to reflect on their voluntary commitment to their school and their community and the problems limiting the empowerment of women in their own country and worldwide. The Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award Program looks to the young women of today for the leaders of tomorrow.

Rebekah Ballard was named Zonta Club of Corvallis Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipient because of her outstanding leadership at her high school and in her community. She has been involved with Monroe High School Student Council, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club, and is an active member and mentor to younger children in local 4-H clubs and sports camps. She gained international experience in the summer of 2017 when she volunteered in Ethiopia, helping young women with economic empowerment initiatives. Rebekah intends to pursue a degree in sociology and political science, and to eventually become an attorney.

Zonta Club of Corvallis improves the status of women through service activities, advocacy and legislative awareness, recognition of outstanding women and men in the club and in the community, fundraising to support scholarships and local, national, and international service projects and nonprofits, and encouragement of young people in STEM fields and public affairs. The club award is funded by the Zonta Service Foundation of Corvallis. As a recipient of the club award, Rebekah Ballard is eligible for additional awards at the District and International levels. Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.

The club extends its congratulations to Rebekah Ballard and to all of the exceptional applicants.

At the 70th Annual Celebrate Corvallis event, recognizing the leaders who contribute to the betterment of the community, the Zonta Club of Corvallis came away with four top awards:  Patron of the Arts, Junior First Citizen, Senior First Citizen, and the Robert Ingalls Businessperson of the Year.  All the Zonta recipients have contributed significantly to Corvallis, but only a few of their accomplishments and leadership roles are listed below.

Nancy Bryant, a club member since 2010, was selected as Patron of the Arts, an award that recognizes contributions to and leadership in the arts community.  Nancy is a retired apparel design professor at Oregon State University.  She is, among other things, the founder of the Contemporary Fiber Arts Guild and volunteers for Permission to Play, a fiber arts therapy group for cancer patients and survivors.

Erin Duncan, a member since 2015, is a practicing attorney with The Reynolds Law Firm, PC.  She offers pro bono services to nonprofits and has led the club’s advocacy effort on issues of concern to women in the community and state.  Erin helped spearhead Changemakers, a new organization that seeks to effect change and build a better future for women, their allies, and our communities.

Ann Smart, a member since 1979, is a retired dean at Linn-Benton Community College.  Ann co-chairs the capital campaign of the Benton County Historical Society to build a new museum in Corvallis.  She was a founding Board member of Stone Soup, an organization that feeds the hungry in Corvallis, and she volunteers for the Oregon Community Foundation, the Corvallis League of Women Voters, and the First Christian Church.

Mary Bentley, a member since 1990, is owner of Valley Catering.  Mary received the Robert Ingalls Businessperson of the Year award, for her strong belief in business and customer service, care for employees, and support of the community.  She has served on the Board of Directors for the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence and the Chamber of Commerce, among many other community involvements.

A fifth Zontian, Leigh Griffith, has been a club member since 2015 and is the owner of Bella Vino Gift Baskets.  Leigh, currently the club’s 2nd Vice President, was nominated for First Citizen.  Although not the award recipient, she was most deserving in the club’s estimation.  She has donated baskets extensively to nonprofits and volunteered for many organizations:  the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, Old Mill Center for Children and Families, the Chamber of Commerce, and also helped lead the Changemakers conference.

The Zonta Club of Corvallis turned out in large numbers for Celebrate Corvallis, having reserved three tables of eight people each, to support its nominees.  The club members and many others present stood and cheered wildly as the four awardees were named.  The club was ecstatic that the Celebrate Corvallis turned into a Celebrate Zonta event.    

As a footnote, various club members heard other attendees express an interest in joining our club.

The Zonta Club of Corvallis recently announced $53,000 from its Service Foundation for scholarships to students at Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University for the 2017-2018 academic year.  Thirteen students will receive a $3000 scholarship and two are awarded partial scholarships.  The general scholarship awardees, who resumed their studies after at least a one-year break in their education, are attending one or both institutions.  The three recipients are Erin Brown (Nondestructive Testing), Jennifer Daniels (Industrial Engineering), and Sabrina Gadbury (Bioresource Research).  In addition, ten women were selected for Rusnak/STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) scholarships:  Alexandra Giza (Mathematical Economics), Cassandra Hatcher (Physics), Tuong Hoang (Mechanical Engineering) Karen Kuhlman (Mechanical Engineering), Nicole Laschober (Bioengineering), Ameyalli Manon-Ferguson (Fisheries & Wildlife Science), Molly Olsen (Biology, pre-med), Julianne Robinson (Ecological Engineering), Stephanie Russo (Environmental Science, agriculture), and Kerri Raven Waldron (Bioresource Research-Toxicology).    Two partial STEM scholarships were awarded to Sarah Gish (Bioengineering) and Alisha Saduova (Civil & Construction Engineering).

Four others were selected for special scholarships of $3000 each.  The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship was awarded to Emily Larsen (Accounting & Business Management).  The Starns Scholarship for a single parent enrolled at LBCC is given to Chelsea Jacot (Occupational Therapy Assistant).  The Grateful Nation Scholarship for a military veteran was awarded to Nicole Durfee (Water Resource Science).  The final award, the Young Women in Public Affairs, went to Eleanor Hewitt, a Sweet Home graduate who will pursue studies at Yale University.

The scholarships were made possible through funds raised at the Zonta annual auction, which will be held again on October 28.  The Zonta Club of Corvallis, an affiliate of Zonta International, is an organization of professionals dedicated to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.

The Zonta Club of Corvallis recently installed its officers for the 2017-2018 year.

Elected officers are Diana Simpson-Godfrey, president; Joan Reukauf, first vice-president; Kelley Marchbanks, immediate past president; Caron Johnson, treasurer; Kara Daley, board recording secretary; Erin Duncan, advocacy chair; Mary Bentley and Andrea Shonnard, attendance and fellowship chairs; Bill Smart and Laurie Russell, communications chairs; Kara Daley and Karen Smith, community grants and outreach chairs; Gail Anderson and Sunny Welles, membership chairs; Pete Bober and Rebecca Yu, program and UN chairs; Deb Rarick and Carol Trueba, scholarship chairs;  Ronna Pomeroy and Leigh Griffith, service chairs; Kelley Marchbanks, Joan Demarest, and Bronwyn Evans, nominating committee members; Sylvia Moore, Pete Bober, Kathy Heath, and Selma Starnes, Zonta Service Foundation of Corvallis members. 

The Zonta Club of Corvallis is a member of Zonta International, an organization dedicated to empowering women through service and advocacy. The club awards grants to local community organizations and scholarships to a local high school senior and college students.  The grants and scholarships are made possible through funds raised at the club’s annual auction.

The Zonta Service Foundation of Corvallis recently announced awards totaling $16,500 to ten local community organizations.  The recipients were the Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, Community Outreach, Inc.,  Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center, Linn-Benton Community College, Old Mill Center for Children and Families, Inc., Philomath Youth Activities Club, South Corvallis Food Bank, The United Methodist Church--Room at the Inn,  and Vina Moses Welfare Center, Inc..  The grants were made possible through funds raised at the club’s annual auction.  The next auction will be held on October 28, 2017.  The Zonta Club of Corvallis, a member of Zonta International, is an organization of professionals dedicated to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. 

The Zonta Club of Corvallis recently announced awards totaling $29,395 to fifteen local community organizations through its Service Foundation, The recipients were Benton Hospice Service, Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, Community Outreach, Corvallis Housing First, Family Tree Relief Nursery, Grace Center for Adult Day Services, Jackson Street Youth Shelter, Linn Benton Community College , Love INC of Benton County, Philomath Youth Activities, Room at the Inn,  Strengthening Rural Families, and We Care.  The grants were made possible through funds raised at the club’s annual auction.  The next auction will be held on November 4, 2016.  The Zonta Club of Corvallis is a member of Zonta International, an organization dedicated to empowering women through service and advocacy.here

The Zonta Club of Corvallis recently elected its officers for the 2016-2017 year.  

Elected officers are Kelley Marchbanks, president; Diana Simpson-Godfrey, first vice-president; Joan Reukauf, second vice-president; Sharon Davis, immediate past president; Caron Johnson, treasurer; Cheryl Williams, board secretary; Pam Hood-Szivek, advocacy chair; Jaimie VanVleet, attendance & fellowship chair; Bill Smart and Laurie Russell, communications chairs; Kathleen Petrucela and Kara Daley, community grants chairs; Gail Anderson and Mary Bentley, membership chairs; Pete Bober, program and UN chair; Deb Rarick, scholarship chair;  Kathy Heath and Ronna Pomeroy, status of women chairs; Sharon Davis, Joan Demarest, and Carole Hobrock, nominating committee; Pete Bober and Sylvia Moore, Zonta Foundation of Corvallis members.  The installation of new Zonta officers will take place at 5:45 p.m. on May 17 at the Adair Village Clubhouse.

The Zonta Club of Corvallis is a member of Zonta International, an organization dedicated to empowering women through service and advocacy. The club awards grants to local community organizations and scholarships to a local high school senior and college students.  The grants and scholarships are made possible through funds raised at the club’s annual auction.

 

The Zonta Club of Corvallis will soon celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding. 

Seventeen charter members established the Club on October 22, 1940.  Beginning as an organization for professional women, it broadened its membership in 1989 to include professional men.  Currently the Club has 65 members.

A celebration of the Club’s Diamond Anniversary will take place on October 20, 2015 at the Club House at Adair.  In attendance will be Zonta area and district leaders, local dignitaries, and former members of the Zonta Club of Corvallis.  The program will feature current members presenting highlights of the Club’s history.  Mayor Biff Traber will proclaim October 22 as the Zonta Club of Corvallis Day.  Items from the archives will be on display, including the original charter as well as scrapbooks and other memorabilia. 

The Zonta Club of Corvallis is #172 of the clubs making up Zonta International. More than 30,000 members belong to some 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 67 countries and geographic areas.  The international organization is dedicated to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.  Zonta International has general consultative status with the United Nations as an NGO (National Governmental Organization).

Through the years the Zonta Club of Corvallis has made significant contributions to the community.  In the 1960s, Zonta spearheaded the planting of trees on Madison Avenue and raised funds to beautify Central Park and the Riverfront.  In December 1972, Zonta helped establish the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony. In 1981, the Club contributed the sculptured water fountain on the south lawn of the Benton County Courthouse.  Each year residents of the Corvallis Manor are honored with a Mother’s Day Tea.   Since 1999 the Club has recognized individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution in addressing community social issues. Each individual or organization is honored with a yellow rose on International Women’s Day, March 8.

What started as an annual auction for members only has evolved into a community event to raise money for the community.  In 2015 the Zonta Service Foundation of Corvallis provided $37,000 in scholarships to OSU and LBCC students, $19,372 to local nonprofit organizations, as well as contributions to international service projects.  Since 1991 the Foundation has distributed over $1 million in scholarships and grants.

This year’s auction with the theme of “Diamonds Among Us” will take place on November 13 at the OSU Alumni Center.  Information is available at http://www.zontacorvallis.org/.

The Advocacy Committee of the Club keeps members informed of pertinent legislative issues and participates in efforts to curb sex trafficking of minors, teen suicides,  youth mental health problems, bullying, and elder abuse.

The Club sponsored the founding of a Zonta Club in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, a Golden Z Club at OSU, and Z Clubs at Corvallis High School and Crescent Valley High School.