Media Releases

Mayor declares Sept. 16-22 Zonta Week in the Town of Amherst

The good work of the Zonta Club of Amherst Area was recognized Sept. 17 when Mayor David Kogon declared Sept. 16-22 as Zonta Week in the Town of Amherst.

In a short flag raising ceremony at the corner of Church and South Albion streets that was preceded by the reading of a proclamation, the Mayor noted the local club has been serving the community since receiving its charter in September 1984.

He further noted the club, a service organization of business executives and professionals who volunteer their time, talents and energy empowering women, have provided support and monetary donations to many local organizations including: Autumn House, Maggie’s Place, Amherst Food Bank Network and the Easter Seal program, while also providing bursaries to mature women furthering their education.

“The Zonta Club plays an important role in our community, and it is organizations such as Zonta that make Amherst a great place to live, work and play,” Kogon said.

During the ceremony, Zonta member Marg E. Smith provided a history of the local club as well as Zonta International, the organization the club is affiliated with that has 30,000 members, in 1,200 clubs that are located in 63 countries.

Zonta’s name, Smith said, comes from the Lakota Sioux word that meaning honest and trustworthy.

Kogon and Smith were then joined by fellow Zonta members Sandie Smith, Carolyn Douglas, Mary Sinclair, Vicki Randall and Coun. Terry Rhindress to raise the Zonta flag. The flag will fly throughout Zonta week.