Local Projects
The Zonta Club of Tampa supports a wide range of programs benefiting our community:
• Ronald McDonald House – Annually we prepare bags of personal items such as shampoo and toothpaste to be given to family members (usually Moms) staying at the Ronald McDonald House while caring for an ill child at Tampa General Hospital.
• Zonta Boys and Girls Clubs Playground – We raised over $14,000 to purchase new playground equipment for this Club. We originally raised the funds for the establishment of this Club built in 1982 and have a long history of supporting services to children.
• Jane Dowdell Career Assistance Grants (Scholarships) - For many years we have provided scholarships to needy students who are heads of households involved in higher education or technical training. Funds have assisted students with equipment needed for classes, car repairs, childcare and other expenses not typically covered by scholarships.
International Projects
In addition, our club raises funds to support Zonta International’s projects around the world. This year our funds went to support:
• ZISVAW - ZISVAW is a program of Zonta International, dedicated to eliminating violence against women and children. It focuses on prevention, education and awareness, and advocacy for legislative and political reform.
Living without violence is a basic human right, essential to participating fully in society and enjoying a high quality of life. By drawing upon the expertise and resources of Zonta Club Members worldwide, ZISVAW can potentially help every woman and child at risk.
• The Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund - supports the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Awards for women graduate students in aerospace-related sciences and engineering. The Awards were established in 1938 in honor of Amelia Earhart, famed pilot and member of Zonta International. The awards are granted annually to women pursuing graduate degrees in aerospace-related sciences and aerospace-related engineering.
• UNIFEM Reinventing India: Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls Phase II
Globally, gender based violence is the most pervasive and least recognized human rights violation. Violence Against Women (VAW) in South Asia continues unabated and trends indicate that it is on the rise with new forms of rights deprivations and violations emerging. In India particularly, factors contributing to the persistence of VAW include lack of information, insufficient legal provisions, weak law enforcement and inadequate services for victims of violence.
A continuation of the effort started in 2000, Reinventing India: Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls aims to empower women by making information on their rights and services available to them and to raise awareness of the potential role of men in preventing gender-based violence.