Honor Zonta Club Centennial

Assembly Resolution No. 382 BY: M. of A. Buttenschon COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Zonta Club of Utica on August 8, 2019 WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Zonta Club of Utica to be celebrated at an event on Thursday, August 8, 2019, at Fountain Elms in Utica, New York; and WHEREAS, In 1919, the Zonta Club of Utica was established with Harriet Ackroyd serving as its first President; she was one of 12 pioneering women who came together in Buffalo, New York, with a goal to help all women realize greater equality while using their individual and collective expertise in service to their community; and WHEREAS, Their vision became Zonta International, an organization which has grown to more than 29,000 members in 63 countries, working together to make gender equality a reality for women and girls worldwide; and WHEREAS, For a century, the Zonta Utica Club has strived to serve its community by enhancing the status of women on an individual and organization level; through the years, the Club has collected items for Hall House, books for the Literacy Volunteers of America Book Sale, and business clothing for women returning to work through the Women's Employment Resource Center; and provided school supplies to Utica public schools for children of women unable to provide them, and meals to young girls residing at New Horizons; and WHEREAS, The Zonta Club of Utica has also painted a room at the Swancott Retirement Home for Women, purchased a passenger van for the Retired Senior Volunteer program, and refurbished the Chapel at Faxton Hospital; for many years, these compassionate women sewed hats for women who lost their hair during therapy; and WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Faxton Hospital's Regional Cancer Center has been a major on-going project; through Zonta Club of Utica's support, the waiting room has been furnished, and women without other resources have received assistance to obtain prostheses and other needed services; and WHEREAS, In addition to all of these wonderful projects, the Zonta Club of Utica awards scholarships to area women in financial need who are returning to school to improve their economic condition, and presents awards to high school students who excel in leadership, scholarship and community service; and WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, the Club sponsored three Z-Clubs, high school level clubs whose members visited nursing homes and performed various community projects; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Zonta Club of Utica sponsored and organized a Human Trafficking Seminar to increase awareness and educate public and service agencies of intervention resources; funded educational programs for Aids Community Resources and Insight House Chemical Dependency Services Inc.; and provided household items and housekeeping necessities to Willow Commons, a transitional housing program for families, and for Evelyn's House, a residence for homeless young women; and WHEREAS, Most recently, the Club has collected and donated a variety of items for Utica's burgeoning refugee population, and the local female veterans group; and WHEREAS, The success of the Zonta Club of Utica is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Zonta Club of Utica on August