90th Anniversary

On Sunday, March 9, the Northampton Zonta club will celebrate its 90th anniversary by honoring nine local women at the Collaborative for Educational Services, 123 Hawley St. in Northampton.

“We’re hoping that many folks will come and help us recognize the decades of service our many Zonta members have provided to through the years,” says Donna Sroka, co-President of the Northampton Club.

“We are especially proud of the nine women who represent the past, present and future of Zonta’s focus – many of them are ‘unsung heroes’ who have really rolled up their sleeves to improve our world for women and girls!”

The program is open to the public from 2 – 5 p.m., and will include a presentation of the living honorees, music and light refreshment. Caroline Gear, Executive Director of the International Language Institute, will be Master of Ceremonies.

Honorees were chosen as “unsung heroes” in advancing the mission of Zonta International as represented by the nine decades of service to the Northampton area: Building a Better Life for Women and Girls in advocacy, fundraising, community service and outreach programs.

With more than 1,000 clubs in 62 countries, Zonta International is dedicated globally and locally to advancing educational and professional opportunities for women and girls, and focusing on such issues as gender-based violence and child marriage. Just this past February, the Zonta Clubs in western MA completed the Period Project, an annual drive to provide shelters and schools with necessary personal products for women they serve.

Linda Knox Gibbon of Williamsburg, long time member and former Governor of Zonta’s District 1;

Alexis Johnson of Northampton, co-founder of the Northampton-based International Language Institute;

Lisa Lapierre of W. Springfield, Director of Youth & Workforce Development for Community Action of Pioneer Valley;

Ava Blum-Carr of North Hadley, a young farmer and active supporter of the W Mass farming community;

Audrey Millgate of Holyoke and New York City, a 50-year member of the Zonta Club;

Maedeh Ghasemzaden of Longmeadow, a recent immigrant from Iran now fluent in English and ready to open her own childcare business, known as “Ladybug.”

Also being honored are deceased members of the Northampton Zonta Club: Lynn Goodhue of Williamsburg (1948-2022), Alice Scott Ross of Hadley (1901-1986), and Verda Dale of Amherst (1917-

2018)

Everyone is welcome to the celebration; more information is available at Northampton@zontadistrict1.org and from Judith Luddy, 413-537-7615.