The 2010s

The new Club website was up and running in January. This was a huge undertaking in order to improve the club’s presence in the community.

Diane S. Lindsley, who was already the Club’s Advocacy Chair, began serving as Advocacy Chair for District 6. Working with Zonta Advocacy Liaisons in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, a district Advocacy platform was developed with specific actions for clubs to take.  This format was highly successful and was continued through the District 6 2012-2014 Biennium.

Jacqueline M. Beaudry was elected a Zonta International Director and served from 2010-2012. At the same time, she continued as Zonta International development Committee Chairman for that biennium.

In 2010, the Club lost Zontian Shirley Marie Bell at 73 and Ruth Cummings at 82.  Shirley had retired from teaching with MPS after 29 years of dedicated service.  For many years, Ruth was Chair of the Club’s Hospitality Committee and worked on the Fashion Show Committee.

Zonta International’s Convention that year was in San Antonio. Zontians Sandra Miller, Donna Conant, and Audrey Schmitz arranged for a bus trip from Milwaukee to San Antonio for Zontians from Wisconsin, Germany and Italy.  Stops included Chicago, Springfield, Memphis, St. Louis and New Orleans. Along the way we were hosted by our sister Zontians.  At this Convention, Jacqueline Beaudry was elected as a Zonta International Board Director for the biennium.

In November of 2010, with the help of many members through painting, decorating, assembling baby furniture and monetary donations, a new mom and her baby are able to enjoy a newly renovated room with all the comforts of home at St. Catherine Residence.

2011

This was the year that the Club joined Facebook. We knew that we needed more exposure on social media.

March was a big month. Pam Knackert received a Green Bay Packers Community Award of $1,000 which she donated to the Club’s Foundation.  On March 8th, Club members observed International Women’s Day by participating in legislative advocacy training with the Wisconsin Council on Families and Children.  This training and meetings with legislators continued through 2014.

Aileen Rockjordan – a Zontian for 43 years

 

In April, Zontian Aileen Rockjordan was featured in Milwaukee Magazine.  As a trailblazer, Aileen worked as a timekeeper for the Brooklyn Navy Yard right out of high school.  She then was one of only two production welders.  While at Long Island university, Aileen was the only woman and the only minority in the business school.  She received a Master’s degree in business administration from NYU and broke the color barrier again when hired in executive positions in retail.  Later in life, Aileen was a tenured professor in social work at UWM.  In Fall, 2005, UWM’s publication Visions wrote: “Despite earning numerous degrees and working as a production welder to pay for her undergraduate degree, Aileen faced discrimination for her ethnicity and gender at almost every turn. She didn’t let it slow her down, though. Aileen continued to celebrate diversity instead of closing herself off from other cultures.” Upon retirement with emeritus status in 2004, she created the “Aileen Rockjordan Endowed Scholarship” in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, demonstrating a commitment to promoting cultural diversity in the delivery of social services.  She was a past president of the Zonta Club and continued to be an active member.  Aileen’s philosophy was, “You only live once; but if you live it right, once is enough.”  Sadly, we lost Aileen in August of 2013.

In May, Zontian Karen Coy-Romano of UW-Parkside received the Milwaukee Business Journal’s “Mentor Woman of Influence” award.

Advocacy efforts continued in September when Zontians Cheryl Lucas-DeBerry and Diane Lindsley joined with members of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom’s meeting with representatives from the US State Department at Mt. Mary College.  The subject was Security Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security”.  Although the State Department was primarily concerned with women’s plight in other parts of the world, we were able to show parallels with women in the US.

At our holiday party in December, we collected items for Sojourner Family Peace Center.

2012

In March 2012, Pam Knackert and Diane Lindsley presented Zonta’s Mission and focus  at “Women Who Make a Difference”, a women’s history program presented by Womanspirit of the First Unitarian Church of Milwaukee.

Zontian Jacqueline Beaudry was nominated for the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Woman of Influence award.  She was recognized by Zonta leaders at International, District and local Club levels for inspiring those with whom she works.  Jackie was also continuing as Zonta International Development Committee Chairman for the 2012-2014 Biennium.

Beginning in 2011 and continuing in 2012, Zontian Service Committee Chair Donna Neal led the Club in a process to determine the type and scope of future service projects.  Deciding to focus on the prevention of violence, the Club chose Neu-Life Community Development at 2014 W. North Ave. in Milwaukee.  Their Mission is to “empower children and youth by equipping them with the necessary information, strategies and support systems to have better self-images, develop better life management skills and to cope with their environments by refraining from crime, drugs and other deviant behavior. It is the belief and philosophy of Neu-Life that basic foundations of personal accountability, responsibility and respect for life can be rebuilt.” Zontian input included mentoring girls for the “Girls on the Run” event, assisting with the annual art show fundraiser, supplying backpacks with school supplies, and providing Christmas presents.

Service at Neu-Life began with a Christmas party. The Gwen T Jackson participants in Neu-Life were thrilled to attend the celebration, groups sang carols or recited poetry as part of the program presentations, and all students received a gift, no exceptions. Because it was the holiday party, many parents were also in attendance. While many Zontians were not able to attend, seven Zontians were present and engaged in the celebration activities and interacted directly with the children. Zonta was given great credit at the event and Zontians were also afforded the opportunity to interact directly with the children in the program.

2013

In early 2013, Zonta International needed an interim Executive Director. Jacqueline M. Beaudry met the challenge and served from February to July of 2013.

Zonta International signed onto to a letter urging the ratification of the CEDAW treaty. It was delivered to the US Senate. To further educate Club members about CEDAW, an article from USA Today was reprinted in the Club Newsletter. Later in the year, the Newsletter provided information on Equal Pay and upcoming Domestic Violence legislation.

Continuing with awareness of issues affecting women and girls, the February dinner meeting featured Claudine O’Leary an authority on Human Trafficking.  Club members were the first to hear what occurred earlier in the day at a conference Claudine and Zontian Diane S. Lindsley attended on human trafficking that was sponsored by the US Attorney’s office, among other partners.  It was entitled “Not for Sale”: Wisconsin’s Response to Human Trafficking.

In recognition of International Women’s Day (also referred to as Zonta Rose Day), on March 8th, Club members attended an advocacy workshop in Madison followed visits to their legislators. Participants gained insights into three major advocacy issues and developed their advocacy skills through training and speaking with legislators or their staff. Each participant received a copy of the “Legislative Advocacy Guide” prepared by the WI Council on Children & Families. In turn, the legislators and staff learned more about International Women’s Day and Zonta.

Diane S. Lindsley, Pam Knackert and Cheryl Lucas-DeBerry at the Area 2 International Women’s Day Rally at the State Capitol (Karen Hunt also attended for part of the day but was not available for the Rally.)

For those Club members unable to attend the event in Madison, they were invited to an International Women’s Day celebration at Milwaukee’s Performing Arts Center on March 10th.  Club member Diane S. Lindsley represented the Club on the event planning committee comprised of a diversity of Milwaukee women’s groups.

Our March dinner meeting addressed Domestic Violence featuring former Zontian Carmen Pitre, Director of Sojourner Truth Family Peace Center gave highlights of future plans for expansion and that the Center is looking forward to being the recipient of local, state and federal grants to assist them in the work.

May’s dinner meeting featured Eve Galanter from the Wisconsin Women’s Network in Madison.  Their mission is to advance the status of woman and girls in Wisconsin through communication, education, and advocacy.

In Spring of 2013, Diane S. Lindsley – District 6 Advocacy Chair – was asked by Kay Meyer, Zonta International Advocacy Chair, and and ZI President Lynn McKenzie to assume the role of Zonta Regional Advocacy Representative for North America.  This responsibility involved coordinating the advocacy efforts of the 13 Zonta districts in North America.

The Club’s annual themed fashion show fundraiser continued its long successful history. Net funds raised were now over $20,000 due to individual and corporate donations, raffles, silent auction, and wine cork pulls.

Pam Knackert and Helen Ludwig, Chairs of the Membership Committee, continued to hold prospective member receptions.  Successful fundraising fashion shows attract potential members who are inspired by our commitments to service, advocacy, and scholarships.

Our Neu-Life Mini-Service project was a donation of color construction paper, crayons, colored pencils, and blunt point scissors for kids, regular glue, glue sticks, and other arts & crafts supplies that Neu-Life kids can use over the summer months.  In late Summer, Club members donated 69 backpacks filled with school supplies.  In November, six Zontians – Kristin Greenwood, Maria Bellmann, Helen Ludwig, Joni Reese, Chris Todd, Dana Felton Reinhard, and Donna Neal – were Running Buddies for the Girls on the Run 5K Race.

The Zonta Club of Milwaukee was pleased to award Mollie Sue Zuberbier our Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship for $1,000. Mollie will be entering her 4th year at Milwaukee School of Engineering where she is pursuing her BS in International Business.  Mollie went on to receive the District 6 Klausman Scholarship for $5,000. The Club’s Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship for $1,000 was awarded to Anjana Murali.

At the 2013 District 6 Fall Conference, Club member Donna Conant was elected Governor of the district.  Donna is the fourth memb

er of our Club to hold this office.  It was also at Fall Conference that Donna Conant and Donna Neal introduced the district to the concept of the “Virtuous Zonta Circle” that they had developed:

In November and December, Club members participated in the“Zonta Says No” Campaign by:

  • wearing and sharing orange ribbons,
  • learning about and donated items for Sojourner Truth Family Peace Center,
  • Donna Kahl-Wilkerson presenting a program on domestic violence at the Dobbs Family Center in Milwaukee,
  • posting the “Zonta Says No” statuses for each of the 16 days, spreading the message via Facebook
  • planning a 48 block walk for December 8th but had to cancel due to a snowstorm
  • and members sharing the message via their own social media and families

2014

This was the year we began using Twitter.

The Club’s Program Committee continued to tie dinner meeting speaker topics to Zonta themes and issues – Amelia Earhart, Women’s Health, Volunteerism, Hunger, the United Nations, and Advocacy.

Under the direction and coordination of Zontian Donna Neal, the Club’s service program partnership with Neu-Life Community Resource Center was the District 6 submission for the Zonta International Service Project Award.  It included Back-to-school backpacks with supplies, holiday gifts, Girls on the Run 5K Race, advising on their annual art show fundraiser, and financial support of $2,000 in 2012 and $5,000 in

Brainstorming Session at Neu-Life

2013.

In 2014, Zontians participated in Neu-Life’s Career Day. Secondly, the Club piloted and implemented  a self-sustaining Youth Anti-Violence Project (age 10+) focused on human trafficking and sexual violence prevention.  It provided participating youth the skills to help keep them safe as well as the opportunity to make an impact in the larger community through awareness-building, peer advocacy, and/or service. We utilized (and customized) a curriculum called ARTREACH and TIPS, developed by Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships (www.htap.org), a Zonta-driven effort in west Florida by Nola Theiss, to implement this program. Six Zontians (Donna Conant, Joann Harris Comodore, Diane Lindsley, Cheryl Lucas-DeBerry, Donna Neal, and Joni Reese) and 15-20 Neu-Life staff and alumni attended the training/brainstorming session conducted by Claudyne O’Leary.

Our volunteer support continued throughout the year with Career Week, back to school backpacks and supplies, Youth Harvest Fest, Artreach, Girls on the Run, and Holiday Gift Drive.

International Women’s Day was observed by Club members attending the 3rd Annual International Women’s Day Advocacy Workshop in Madison. Issues addressed by Zontians in Area 2 included Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence and Economic Security.  From Advocacy Chair Karen Hunt –a “big thank you to my fellow Milwaukee Zontians Jackie Beaudry, Donna Conant, Kristen Greenwood, Joann Harris-Comodore and Donna Neal for braving the blizzard like morning conditions to travel to Madison to advocate on behalf of women and girls in Wisconsin. Because of you, our elected officials understand that women’s issues are important to all Wisconsin-ites. Because of you, our elected officials understand better the importance of their votes supporting the end of violence against women, the end of slavery for women trapped in human trafficking exploits and the importance of securing the economic status of women in Wisconsin”.

Kristen Greenwood, Donna Neal, Jackie Beaudry, Joann Harris-Comodore, Donna Conant and Karen Hunt hard at work preparing to meet with their legislators.

 

A second opportunity to observe IWD was the celebration in Milwaukee at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts entitled “Inspiring Change: Connecting Our Voices” was organized by members of several Milwaukee women’s organizations, including Diane S. Lindsley representing our Club.

A third International Women’s Day Program March 8, 2014, entitled “Why Women, Why Now” was sponsored by The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the Greater Milwaukee UN Association, 9 to 5, and Womanspirit at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on Milwaukee’s East Side. Donna Kahl-Wilkerson and Diane S. Lindsley attended, representing Zonta.  Diane spoke of Zonta’s ties to the United Nations and our Club’s current anti-violence/anti-trafficking programs with Neu- Life. Audience members were impressed with our efforts and commitment.

At the April Club business meeting we voted on the Neu-Life proposal request for $10,000 for their capital campaign. The Club voted to donate the $10,000 to be used to sponsor the Youth Art Room in their renovation project. The Zonta Club of Milwaukee will get signage to the room and our members can participate in the joint Zonta/Neu-Life youth mural. Our $10,000 is coming from the Zonta Foundation, Inc.

Also in April, Donna Neal, Pam Knackert and Diane S. Lindsley attended a Human Trafficking Forum at Alverno College.  Panel discussions centered around factors that have made Milwaukee a hub of human trafficking, types of trafficking, and the scope of the trafficking.

In May, the Club awarded a $500 Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship to Alma Lopez who exhibited high grades and many hours of volunteers efforts at MPS and Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center.  A second scholarship was awarded to Helen Fetaw, a truly outstanding graduate of Rufus King International High School, is now a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania studying pre-medicine and biochemistry with the hopes of one day working with Doctors Without Borders.

In September, the Club awarded the $1,000 Women in Science Scholarship to Marisol Ramos from Alverno College. As a wife and mother of two, she has excelled academically, completed two internships at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and has generously volunteered her time both at her college and in the local community.  The $1,000 Jane M. Klausman Scholarship was awarded to Megan Fitzpatrick from UW-Milwaukee. Her academic hopes are to complete her degree, pass the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) exam, study in Germany for a graduate class, and earn her Masters in Accounting . Personally she hopes to continue to be a mentor and inspire other women. Monica Crosby of UW-Milwaukee received the $1,000 Women in Technical Specialties Scholarship.  Her dream is becoming an Information Technology (IT) professional with the FBI.

In this 2014-2016 Biennium, Zonta International appointed Jacqueline M. Beaudry as the Zonta International Foundation Centennial Anniversary Endowment Campaign Chairman.  This is an extraordinary honor and responsibility, and the Club again is very proud of Jackie.

Zonta’s 16 Days of Activism was highlighted by a social media blitz.  Club members were encouraged to wear their orange ribbons to raise awareness.  Our service work was highlighted through the ARTREACH display at Milwaukee City Hall and an interview with Neu-Life’s Jody Rhodes on Fox 6 News that aired December 1.

2016 

Club Members April 2026 with a donations of sheets

January the last month for us to collect clothing for Alverno College’s “Dress to Impress for Less,” organized by our very own Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship winner Kosovka Spreco.

Each month, Club members also donated items requested by agencies that support women and girls. Called “Mini-service projects”, donations from members are voluntary.

In February, PR Chair Joni Reese unveiled the Club’s new website.  The PR team can now update the site and post events themselves.  By September, Joni had created a LinkedIn page for the Club.  An addition to the Club’s monthly Newsletter, Marge Holzbog has added a page devoted to the UN and suggestions for further reading.

In honor of Black History Month, our dinner speaker was Celia Jackson, Executive Director of the International and Intercultural Center at Alverno College. Celia shared some of her reflections on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Great Revolution” speech.

March 8th, International Women’s Day, was recognized by Club members joining with members from the Madison Club in receiving advocacy training in Madison, followed by visits to their State Legislators to discuss issues and legislation affecting women and girls.

At our annual Fashion Show Fundraiser, $15,000 was awarded to:

  • Neu-Life Community Resource Center for their Youth Non-violence Program
  • Core/El Centro for their Traumatic & Healing Program
  • My Home/Your Home for their Lissy’s Place independent living program
  • Our Next Generation for their Phenomenal Ladies Program
  • The Women’s Center of Waukesha for their Empowerment Program

This year’s fashions were vintage collection fashions from Goodwill Industries, Inc. of SE Wisconsin, narrated by Monica and her models, a reminder of our mothers, grandmothers, special women in our lives, and former Zonta members who left their legacy and helped to build our Foundation.

The Club hosted the 2016 Area 2 Spring Workshop, Advocating with Courage”, on April 23. The featured speaker was Sister Patricia Rogers, Executive Director of Milwaukee’s Dominican Center for Women.

May’s dinner meeting was quite special; members toured the new Sojourner Family Peace Center at 6th & Walnut in Milwaukee. Sojourner Family Peace Center is the largest nonprofit provider of domestic violence prevention and intervention services in Wisconsin, serving over 9,500 clients each year. Sojourner provides an array of support aimed at helping families affected by domestic violence achieve safety, justice and well-being.

Also in May, Zontian Donna Neal and Neu-Life Community Development Center were given WACYCP awards. The Wisconsin Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals (WACYCP) awarded Donna Neal with the Youth Work Volunteer of the Year award. Neu-Life won the Program/Agency of the Year award.

The Zonta Club of Milwaukee presented its 2016 YWPA award to Abigail Katherine Thompson during the May 25 dinner meeting. In addition, the Club honored her as the District 6 award winner and a contender for one of the 10 Zonta International awards. Columbia College Chicago, where she will be majoring in acting and education, will match all of her scholarship awards dollar-for-dollar.

In June, Zontians Elizabeth Stull, Donna Neal, and Helen Ludwig & her son Coy, walked and cheered for the annual Girls on the Run 5K Race.  This is the race’s 9th season and Neu-Life is one of, if not the, longest-standing inner city team participating.

In May, Club members helped support Neu-Life’s 9th annual Art show. In July, Members helped support the Neu-Life career Fair. August found members stuffing backpacks with donated school supplies for Neu-Life students. This has become an annual event.  In December of each year, Zontians purchased gifts for the students.

The 2nd annual Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women walk took place around the blocks surrounding City Hall. Following the walk, several community leaders will briefly comment on the issue of domestic violence, after which we will read aloud the names of all who fell victim in 2015. Speakers include Mayor Tom Barrett; District Attorney John Chisholm; Alderwoman Milele Coggs, District 6, Milwaukee Common Council and Member of the Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; Captain Aimee Obregon, Commander of the Sensitive Crimes Division, Milwaukee Police Department; Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, District 1, President, Milwaukee Common Council; Martha Love, Community Advocate for Domestic Violence; and Carmen Pitre, Executive Director, Sojourner Family Peace Center.

This year the Club created the Forward Committee to investigate, report, and recommend to the Club long-term (defined as at least 3 years) service opportunities to commence fall of 2017. Identify a long-term project that will:

  • Support Zonta International goals and objects
  • Create an identifiable and meaningful footprint in our community
  • Attract and retain committed membership
  • Build awareness, visibility, and identity of Zonta in Milwaukee

The Club’s $1,000 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship was awarded to Kelley Hickman from Alverno College.  A $500 scholarship was awarded to Autumn Hackbarth from Wisconsin Lutheran College. The Club’s $1,000 Women in STEM was awarded to Carla Echeveste, a graduate of Alverno College.

The Club’s Foundation had donated $10,000 for a Art Room at Neu-Life  and was then asked to help design a mural for that room.

Krista Betts shared that the 16 Days of Activism will run from November 25 through December 10. We will continue to do Facebook posts from ZI, but also make things more personal by including photos of men and public figures holding signs in support of Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women. On December 10, members of the Zonta Club of Milwaukee gathered with friends at the Harley-Davidson Museum to commemorate Human Rights Day and the final day of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women 16 Days of Activism. Thanks go to Zontian Christine Todd for organizing this event in honor of Jerry Renner, the original owner of House of Harley, a top H-D dealer in the U.S., and a generous supporter of the Zonta Club of Milwaukee.

 

Most exciting for 2016, thanks to Zontian Joann Harris-Comodore, was the Club’s sponsorship of a new Z-Club, the second in Club history.  The MHSA FEM – Z Club consists of 21 energetic and motivated young women, joining in unity to make a difference in the world around them.

 The FEM – Z Club motto is “Future leaders building a better world today through service and advocacy.” The MHSA FEM-Z Club certificate number is #792 and the charter date is December 19, 2016. The MHSA FEM-Z Club was honored with:

  • A proclamation from Mayor Tom Barrett
  • District 6 Governor Tamara Hagen’s presentation of the charter
  • Induction/installation by District 6 Z Club Chair Susan Harmon

 

2017 

In 2017, the Neu-Life/Zonta partnership took the ARTREACH program on the road to build community awareness of the seriousness of sex trafficking in Milwaukee – and to inspire action to help prevent it.

On January 26, ARTREACH paintings were displayed at the Human Trafficking Task Force of Greater Milwaukee annual Human Trafficking Awareness Month event, held at Radio 88Nine headquarters downtown and attended by approximately 120 people.

On February 3, ARTREACH paintings were displayed at the 2nd Annual Night of Freedom fundraiser sponsored by the Racine Coalition Against Human Trafficking, now called Fight to End Exploitation. About 100 people attended this event.

Joann Comodore and Jody Rhodes thanked the club for the five-year partnership which has had a huge impact in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood. The deep relationship between the two organizations, manifested with financial support and advice as well as physical and advocacy service, has been tremendous.

In line with the Club’s efforts to combat human trafficking, the March dinner meeting speaker was Donnelle Hauser, who spoke about the Lad Lake Commercial Sex Trafficking program. Lad Lake is a residential care center guiding at-risk youth and families on the path toward independence and achievement.

By February, Club Goals for 2016-2018 were woven into those of District 6 via the appropriate committee(s).    

At the Club’s annual Fashion Show Fundraiser in April, $16,000 was distributed among the following agencies:

  • Broadscope Disability Services
  • CORE/EL Centro
  • Neu-Life Community Development
  • PEARLS for Teen Girls Inc.
  • The Women’s Center (Waukesha)

In May, the Club’s Young Women in Public Affairs Award was presented to Erica Lofton, a student at the University School of Milwaukee. At the age of 7, she founded the charity Girls in Action, Inc., through which she teaches girls ages 8 to 12 how to become leaders. Erica is also owner of a related business, Girlz in Action, LLC, where she does keynotes, small group presentations and workshops for girls and other youth about leadership.

This year the Club voted to meet in August so that plans could begin earlier for the annual fashion show.  This August’s guest speaker was Gerry Howze, Executive Director of PEARLS for TEEN GIRLS.  PEARLS empowers young women with self-development tools, guidance and support to live out the PEARLS values of Personal Responsibility, Empathy, Awareness, Respect, Leadership and Support.

It was with great joy that Club members learned that our 2017 YWPA recipient, Erica Lofton, won the $1,000 District 6 Award and a $4,000 International Award. 

In July, Zontians again supported Neu-Life students at Career Day and with Back-To-School Supplies.

In order to spread the anti-trafficking messages in the Milwaukee community,  fifteen  Zontians were trained as a “Road Crew” to place ARTREACH pieces at various venues.

This year’s 2017 $1,000 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship was awarded to Anna Schreiber, a student at Marquette University.  Anna took a leadership role as co-president of the Information Technology Student Organization at Marquette and co-editor of that organization’s publications. She was awarded Most Valuable Team Player in Marquette’s IT Innovation competition, and as a business analyst intern at Robert W. Baird her team won the Intern Case Competition.

The Club’s  $1,000 2017  Women in STEM Scholarship was awarded to Bianca Ruffalo, a student at UW-Parkside.  Bianca is pursuing a degree in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics and plans to become a molecular pathologist physician/scientist, pursuing both a medical practice and research work.

On October 2nd, the Club’s 3rd annual Violence Against Women Silent Walk took place.  Speakers included: District Attorney John Chisholm, Judge Janine Geske, Captain Aimee Obregon, Milwaukee Police Department Sensitive Crimes Division, Tammie Xiong, City of Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence, and  Carmen Pitre, Executive Director, Sojourner Family Peace Center, Ashanti Hamilton, District 1 Alderman, Milwaukee Common Council President, and Shawn Mohammed, ASHA Project and representative for End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin.  This year, members of the MHSA FEM Z Club joined us.

The 16 Days of Activism started November 25, and we shared our 14 ARTREACH artworks through Facebook throughout the 16 Days, concluding with a schedule for the public displays. Karen Hunt also reported that she spoke with Discovery World and they agreed to turn their lights orange for at least part of the 16 Days.

In the course of soliciting exhibit space, we are finding opportunities to share our knowledge about human trafficking in presentations, workshops, or discussions.

We developed a presentation for use by the Neu-Life staff who are teaching Making Proud Choices in MPS schools. They will add an extra education segment about trafficking to the curriculum and reach about 400 students next semester. On December 5 at the USDA Forest Service, we conducted a Lunch and Learn Workshop on human trafficking and ARTREACH. The session was broadcast to 60+ employees in locations across the country.

2018 

The Zonta Club of Milwaukee marked 92 years of dedicated service in 2018. During this past year, we enthusiastically embraced our mission of “Empowering Women through Service and Advocacy” by supporting local and international projects/initiatives through financial contributions, grants, scholarships and hands-on activities.

Through the incredible support of our members, friends and community partners, the Club raised over $27,000 at our annual spring fashion show fundraiser titled “Let the Sun Shine In: Empowering Women & Girls.” Two-thirds of these funds were allocated to support local grants, two scholarships and projects designed to empower women and girls in the Greater Milwaukee area. The remaining one-third of funds raised supported the global initiatives of Zonta International.

In 2018, the Club continued its partnership with Neu-Life Community Development, an agency that provides youth development programming for the children of the Lindsay Heights neighborhood through hands-on service and funding, such as:

  • Supplying school supplies and backpacks for the school age children;
  • Donating toys for the elementary children through the Holiday Gift Drive;
  • Speaking about career opportunities at Neu-Life’s Career Event;
  • Helping plan and attending Neu-Life’s annual Art Show Fundraiser; and
  • Partnering in the ARTREACH Anti-Violence program.

The Club continued to share the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women message. Twitter and Facebook were used to pos

Mini Service projects included donations of items for which Sojourner had the greatest need.

t anti-violence information and the anti-trafficking art work produced in the ARTREA

CH program. In addition, the ARTREACH art work was displayed locally at a variety of locations to raise awareness about the issue. The ARTREACH human sex trafficking awareness and prevention program now includes multiple engaging exercises and is grounded in a “Healthy Relationships” context.

In October, the Club held its 4th annual Silent Walk in downtown Milwaukee to remember those in Wisconsin who died in the past year due to domestic violence. The 1-mile walk began and ended at Milwaukee City Hall, where several community leaders shared their thoughts about the day. We received press coverage from WISN and other local stations.

The Racial Justice Committee hosted three of the club meetings and delivered activities that provided insight and education to racism and how it manifests barriers to the empowerment of women and girls.

A Z Club, chartered in 2016 at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts, continued to re-organize.

2019 

The Zonta Club of Milwaukee marked 93 years of dedicated service by enthusiastically embracing our mission of “Empowering Women through Service and Advocacy” by supporting local and international projects/initiatives through financial contributions, grants, scholarships and hands-on activities. 

Unfortunately, due to the world-wide pandemic we had to postpone our annual Spring fundraiser to September of 2020. Through the incredible support of our members, friends and community partners, the Club raised funds when the area was clear of the disease. Our annual fashion show fundraiser was titled “Around the World: Empowering Women & Girls for Another 100 Years.” Two-thirds of these funds were allocated to support local grants, scholarships and projects designed to empower women and girls in the Greater Milwaukee area. The remaining one-third of funds raised supported the global initiatives of Zonta International. 

In 2019, the Club continued its partnership with Neu-Life Community Development, an agency that provides youth development programming for the children of the Lindsay Heights neighborhood through hands-on service and funding.

The Club continued to share the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women message. Twitter and Facebook were used to post anti-violence information and the anti-trafficking artwork produced by Neu-Life’s ARTREACH program. In addition, the ARTREACH artwork was displayed locally at a variety of locations to raise awareness about the issue.

In October, the Club held its 5th annual Silent March in downtown Milwaukee followed by a program at City Hall to remember those in Wisconsin who died in the past year due to domestic violence. We received tremendous publicity from 3 local TV stations! Segments including the march itself, segments of the City Hall program, and interviews with participants aired in 3 time slots each on TMJ4 and CBS 58 and once on FOX 6. About 40-45 individuals joined in the walk.

On November 8, 2019, the Zonta Club of Milwaukee hosted a reception at the Milwaukee Marriott West to celebrate Zonta International’s 100th Birthday. Approximately 75 present and former Zontians and community supporters attended the event.