Every year on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the members of Zonta Owen Sound raise a flag at City Hall.

For 2022 the theme is UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls. The colour orange is used to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls.

Zonta International takes its name from the Lakota Sioux Indian word meaning honest and trustworthy. Established in 1820, the organization has members throughout the world who volunteer their time, talents and energy to local and international advocacy and service projects that are designed to advance the status of women worldwide.

In 1986, Donelda Stewart and Eleanor Pauling promoted and organized a chapter in Owen Sound. The Zonta Club of Owen Sound supports local, regional and international projects to improve the quality of life for women and their families.

Over the last 10 years the club has raised and distributed more than $70,000 for service projects including:

• Grey Bruce Regional Health Care Centre for mammogram equipment, an immunsoltrainer, microtone equipment, furnishings for the patient instructional video room, and clothing for the Comfort Closet.
• Donations to the Women’s Centre Grey and Bruce Inc. to support their work with women and their children in crisis, and their information services, and advocacy work to end violence against women. In 2020, our donation was allocated to refurbish the front Violence Against Women Counselling Room, providing new flooring, paint, furnishings, art work and building a separation wall.
• Assistance to individuals with requests relayed by local agencies, such as Closing the Gap Healthcare Group.
• Every December we make comfort kits for the Women’s Center and the Hospital. Comfort kits have the basic necessities in them: tooth paste, tooth brush, soap, wash cloth, comb, shampoo, kleenex, shaver, and lip balm.
  
  

source: media release, Zonta Club of Owen Sound