Zontians Friendship Day Sparks Fund Raising Exchange Ideas

In August 2006, sister Zontians from ZC Heidelberg and ZC Milwaukee celebrated Zontian Friendship by holding a get together as part of their Great Ladies Great Lakes tour!   Keeping advancing the status of women in the highlight, their initial idea was to include a raffle of a few items to honor their connection, and share the ‘raffle’ experience.   Everyone got into the spirit and members from German clubs of, and USA members from Milwaukee Madison, and Janesville, Wisconsin, all joined to enjoy friendship.  It was so wonderful to share “raffle” ideas!  The Wisconsin clubs generally use raffle tickets - if you have the right number, and it’s selected - you can win and maybe even repeated times!  Some may win, some may not.  In the German way donations are made, about every fifth raffle ticket wins!  Learning new ways to raise funds and share friendship was a gain all around and the funds raised were donated to the Jane M. Klausman Scholarship fund!  It’s only a beginning now as we all learn new ways to orchestrate raffles!   

How did all of this begin?  It all started at the Zonta International Convention in New York, when three members connected – Sigrid Duden from ZC Heidelberg and Audrey Schmitz and Donna Conant from ZC Milwaukee.  Their convention connection started a friendship that lead to sisterhood - connecting many members from Wisconsin and southwest Germany!  In 2005 Milwaukee Zontians were hosted to a tour of southwest Germany meeting members from 10 clubs.  A return host evolved this summer when members from Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Konstanz and Tuebingen joined members from Milwaukee, Madison, Janesville, Beloit, Oak Park and St Charles Batavia on a tour through the Great Lakes region!  . 

 ZONTA CLUB OF MILWAUKEE

2007 SCHOLARSHIPS

Young Women in Public Affairs Award ($500).  Pre-university or pre-college women students (ages 16-20); Applicants must show evidence of active commitment to volunteerism and volunteer leadership achievements, as well as dedication to advancing the status of women worldwide. (Note:  Recipient’s application will be forwarded to Zonta District 6 for consideration for the District award.)  Applications due 2/22/2007.

Technical Specialty Occupations ($1,000).  Support technical and vocational educational efforts of a woman in the area of Health Care or Non-traditional occupations, specifically aimed at low income or otherwise disadvantaged women. Applications must show evidence of dedication to advancing the status of women. Applications due 4/30/2007.

Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship ($1,000). Women pursuing undergraduate business degrees who demonstrate outstanding potential in business, and are entering their third or fourth year of an undergraduate degree program at an accredited university/college/institute program at the time the funds are received. Applicants may initially be limited to students at local universities with accredited business programs (Note: The award recipient would be eligible to be advanced to the District and International Level (US$5,000 award). This is limited to students at local universities. Applications are due 4/30//2007.

Women in Science ($1,000).  Women pursuing undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering or math who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field, and are entering their third or fourth year of an undergraduate degree program at an accredited university/college/institute program at the time the funds are received. Preference will be given to Wisconsin residents. Applications are due 4/30//2007.

 Applications for the 2007 Zonta Scholarships are now available from the Zonta Club of Milwaukee by contacting: Norma Voorhorst at 414-281-3022 or sending an email to Zonta Club at zontamilwaukee@hotmail.com.  

ZONTA CLUB OF MILWAUKEE AWARDS TWO SCHOLARSHIPS

Our club was honored to meet and recognize recipients of two of our 2006 scholarship award winners at our September meeting:

Cynthia Wright Kau was presented the Technical Specialty Award, and Ashley Beckner, the Women in Business Award.

 Cynthia Wright Kau is working towards her Associate degree and a full time position as Interior Designer.  She has always been interested in building and designing.  While other girls usually played with dolls, she built them houses.  She understands the construction and designing side. She loves the challenge and success when the “guys stop and listen” to her, especially when it is “green design”, environmentally friendly.  In the 1990’s Cynthia graduated with an Interior Design Assistant degree, got married and raised five wonderful sons, while working as Design Assistant.   She will use her scholarship funds to attend Waukesha County Technical College, and prepare to take on more leadership & a full design role. 

 Ashley Beckner is attending Marquette University seeking her Bachelor of Science in Finance.  She has been accepted into the highly competitive and academically challenging Applied Investment Management (AIM) program at Marquette.  She secured an internship with a prestigious Wall Street investment firm, Morgan Stanley, spending her summer in New York City.  Ashley shared with us that she was offered and has accepted a full time position with Morgan Stanley after her graduation this December.  She has demonstrated a strong work ethic by working both summers and through the school year, while maintaining a high GPA, plus working as a Research Associate.  During her Senior year at Marquette she is taking on the position of Campus Campaign Manager to recruit graduating seniors to enter the 2007 Teach for America Corps, a non-profit organization that recruits top undergraduates to spend 2 years teaching in low income communities.

Congratulations, Cynthia & Ashley!  We wish you success in your academic & career pursuits!  

                                                                 By Norma Voorhorst, on behalf of the Scholarship Committee