December 20, 2004
: Zonta Club Presents Grants
December
6, 2004: Zonta Club Learns About Modern Day Slavery in Florida
November
15, 2004: Zonta Club observes 16 Days Against Gender Violence
November 8, 2004: Making it on
Purpose and Zonta’s 85th Birthday
October 11, 2004: Local Zontians
Attend District Conference in Key West
September 22, 2004: Zontians Relax for a Change!
July 30, 2004: Six Local Zontians Attend International Conference in New
York City
June 25, 2004: Zonta Club Entertains Young Women from Making It On Purpose
June 20, 2004: Kris Ritts
Joins Zonta
June 18, 2004: Nutritionist
Speaks at Zonta Meeting
June 11, 2004: First Annual
Community Service Award Announced
May 24, 2004: Zonta Club Installs New Officers for 2004-05
May 1, 2004: Zonta Club Assists Women Transistioning to
Homes
April 21,
2004: New Zonta
Members
March 16,
2004: Peek at the Unique a Huge Success
February 20,
2004: Zonta's Third Annual Peek at the Unique
February 10, 2004: Featured Guest Speaker: Dee Serage-Century
January 25, 2004: Zonta Welcomes New Members
January 5, 2004: Pam Oakes to Speak at Zonta Meeting
December 20, 2004
ZONTA
CLUB PRESENTS $15,000 IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL GRANTS
Wrapping
up another successful year, the Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva has dispensed
$15,000 in grants and funds to support its mission of improving the status of
women both locally and globally.
At the
club’s annual holiday party at Ellington’s on Thursday, December 16, before a
crowd of nearly 70 Zonta members and their guests, president Darla Letourneau
presented checks for $2,500 each to two organizations selected by club members
for special assistance this year: Making
It On Purpose, which operates under the auspices of Big Brothers, Big Sisters
of Fort Myers, providing emotional and practical support for young women
transitioning out of foster care; and the Transitional Living Center (TLC) at
Southwest Florida Addiction Services, also in Fort Myers, which provides
education and support for women in recovery from addiction. The recipients also took home gaily-wrapped
holiday gift packages for the program participants, assembled by club members.
As well
as financial support and seasonal gifts, Zonta members offer to both programs
on a volunteer basis mentoring, training in social, practical and job-seeking
skills, collections of clothing and household goods, and (for the young women)
social outings.
In
addition, checks for $2,500 each have been forwarded to Partners for Breast
Cancer Care, a Fort Myers-based organization that provides mammograms and other
diagnostic procedures for low-income women, and to Planned Parenthood of
Southwest Florida, to provide continuing education and outreach. The club also submitted a total of $5,000 to
Zonta International, principally to support the organization’s ambitious
Anti-Trafficking Project in Boznia-Herzgovina.
The club recently adopted the topic of trafficking in women for study
and support both locally and internationally.
The Zonta
Club of Sanibel/ The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is a service organization of
professional women working together to provide hands on assistance, advocacy,
and funds to strengthen women’s lives on the islands, in Lee County, and around
the world through Zonta International.
Additional information is available at www.zontasancap.com or by calling
Ginger Parker on 466-5100.
Zonta President
Darla Letourneau with Judi Woods, founder and CEO of Making It On Purpose,
and Rosemary Boisvert and Linda Peterson of the TLC administrative staff.
December 6, 2004
ZONTA CLUB LEARNS ABOUT MODERN DAY
SLAVERY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
When you think
of someone who is on the front line in the battle against modern day slavery or
human trafficking, you might not conjure up images of someone like Anna
Rodriguez, but once you hear her speak, you know she’s been there. A roomful of
Zontians and special guests heard Anna speak last Wednesday morning, as she
gave evidence to the fact that human trafficking is happening in our own
backyard.
Ms
Rodriguez retired from the Collier County Sheriff’s office after ten years as a
victim advocate to work full time on human trafficking. This fall, she launched the Immigrant Rights Advocacy Center, consulting with local law
enforcement and the Department of Justice.
Her goal is to set up centers around the state to identify and assist
victims. For now, she wants to raise awareness of trafficking in our area.
Anna told
us stories of cases where she found men, women and children brought into
slavery in the agricultural business, domestic situations, the hospitality
industry, and the sex trade. Usually through fear and intimidation, the
traffickers have a hold on these people’s lives and most victims think there is
no way for them to escape. They are convinced they owe money, or their families
are in danger or the victims themselves are in trouble, plus the traffickers
hold their identification papers. Often, too, they do not speak English and do
not know where to look for help.
One case
Anna pursued aggressively brought her to the attention of President George W.
Bush and the Attorney General. This case was part of the inspiration for the
T-Visa designed only for victims of trafficking. It was a case of a husband and
wife right here in Southwest Florida who thought they owned a young
woman named Maria. She worked for them picking tomatoes and was not given any
money. In addition, the husband raped her. It was only through Anna’s
persistence that Maria was freed from this situation. Maria is now happily
married with two children. Anna and Maria were invited to the White House for
the bill signing ceremony for the legislation that created the T-Visa. Anna’s courage and compassion in rescuing
victims of human trafficking was recognized by the President this summer at the
National Training Conference on Human Trafficking held in Tampa.
Zontians
also learned statistics about human trafficking every ten minutes; a person is
brought into this country as a slave. Children represent 50% of trafficked
persons. It is now the #2 crime in America, behind drug smuggling. By next
year, they expect it to be #1. The problem to date is that modern day slavery
has not gotten the attention of law enforcement and average citizens. And that,
Anna says, works to the advantage of the traffickers. If Anna has her way, it
won’t be as seemingly invisible in the future.
Anna will
be teaching a class, Human Trafficking in Florida, through the Renaissance Academy
of FGCU on the island Thursday evenings in February. Call 239-590-1095 for more
information. Members of Zonta will also
be attending Human Rights and Struggle for Fair Food conference on Martin
Luther King weekend sponsored by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the
Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida.(657-8311 for information) The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva has begun
an educational process which includes research into local and global
trafficking issues and inviting leaders of local organizations which work in
the area of human trafficking to speak to club members. The preliminary
information and strategy regarding anti-trafficking in Lee County and the region is on the web at www.zontasancap.com.
Anna Rodriugues speaking to the Zonta Club.
November 15, 2004
Zonta Club
observes 16 Days Against Gender Violence
As many on Sanibel are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner,
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva will join with Zonta International in
observing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. The 2004 Days of
Activism theme is "For the Health of
Women, For the Health of the World: No More Violence”. Highlighting the connections
between women, violence, and human rights
the campaign begins with November 25th, Thanksgiving in the
United States, as Elimination of Violence
Against Women Day worldwide. The focus continues with World Aids Day on December 1st and Human Rights Day on December 10th.
In 1998, Zonta
International created Zonta International Strategies to Prevent Violence
Against Women (ZISVAW). The goal is to reduce the incidence of violence against
women and girls by supporting education awareness and advocacy strategies
locally and internationally. Locally, as an offshoot of ZISVAW, and in addition to their two other service
projects of working with Making it on Purpose and Southwest Florida Addiction
Services, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva has embarked on a multi-year plan
to bring visibility to human trafficking, particularly of women and girls, in
Southwest Florida. This includes trafficking for any purpose including agricultural,
hospitality and sex work.
Zonta members have begun with education process which
includes research into local and global trafficking issues and inviting leaders
of local organizations which work in the area of human trafficking to speak to
club members. The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva’s preliminary information and
strategy regarding trafficking in Lee County and the region is on the web at www.zontasancap.com.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is a service
organization of professional women working together to provide hands on
assistance, advocacy, and funds to strengthen women’s lives on the islands, in
Lee County, and around the world through Zonta International. Additional information is available at
www.zontasancap.com or by calling Ginger Parker on 466-5100.
November 8,
2004
Making It on Purpose and 85th birthday are
highlights for local Zontians
Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva once again welcomed
Judi Woods as guest speaker at its
regular meeting at the Dunes on Wednesday, November 3.
Judi is founder and director of Making It On Purpose,
a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, which seeks to help young women transit out
of foster care and into independent living when they are 18. Many of the girls have been in foster care
all of their lives and have acquired few skills to help them get jobs, live
independently, or go for higher education.
Judi started the program four years ago with ten girls willing to be in
the program and ten mature women willing
to be mentors for the girls. There are
now twenty-eight girls in the program. Her dream is to create a village where
the young women may live and feel support and nurturance as they acquire the
skills needed to live independently.
Nationally 650,000 children live in foster care in
the United States. At age eighteen when
the law directs they must leave foster care, statistics show that half this
number will "go back into the system"—that is, they will turn to
alcohol, drugs, crime, unwanted pregnancies and come into the welfare system or
the criminal justice system. Making It
On Purpose seeks to change that for local girls. Judi tells the young women,
"Just because you breathe, you should be loved."
Zonta of Sanibel- Captive has been a supporter of
Making It On Purpose for the last three years, both financially and program
wise. A number of the Zontians are currently serving as mentors while others
are helping with interviewing skills or SAT tutoring. Often when a young woman
gets her own apartment the Zontians will collect household goods for them. As
Judi Woods told the Zontians, "The women of Zonta have embraced what we’ve
done and have become an important part of these young women's lives." It
was very exciting for the club members to hear that seven of the young women,
including two who had previously been high school drop outs are college students this fall.
On November 20th many of the Zontians will serve as volunteers at the
annual fund raiser of Making It On Purpose, "Diving Into Art". This gala evening will take place at
Mastique, the new high rise condominium on John Morris Road in Fort Myers. There will be art for sale, as well as crafts
and gifts. The public is encouraged to
attend. It will be a great source for
holiday gifts! For more information and tickets visit on line at
www.makingitonpurpose.com or call 239-278-0003.
The local Zonta club members also celebrated the 85th anniversary of the
founding of Zonta International in Buffalo, N.Y. Since November of 1919, Zontians have been working together
toward an equitable world, for equal access for women to education and
healthcare, for economic security, and for lives free of gender discrimination
and violence. At the November 3rd meeting, the local chapter also celebrated
the birthday of their president, Darla Letourneau and with deep regret said
goodbye to longtime member, Janice Caron, who is moving to Fort Lauderdale.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is a service
organization of professional women working together to provide hands on
assistance, advocacy, and funds to strengthen women’s lives on the islands, in
Lee County, and around the world through Zonta International. Additional information is available at
www.zontasancap.com or by calling Ginger Parker on 466-5100.
Making It On Purpose Director, Judi Woods, sharing a
poster for its November 20th Annual Gala
Holiday Art Affair, "Diving Into the Arts", with Zonta members. Pictured (from left to right): front row:
Susan Dunn, Judi Woods, and Maggie Mullins; back row: Nancy Dorrity, Darla Letourneau, Sue Denham,
and Kris Ritts.
October 11,
2004
Local Zontians Attend District Conference in Key West
Zontians in 9 southern states, plus the Bahamas and
Puerto Rico, undeterred by the recent hurricanes that affected many of our
communities, made their way to Key West for the annual Zonta District 11
conference on October 1-2. Five local
Zontians, including President Darla Letourneau, Vice-President Nola Theiss,
immediate past President Susan Dunn, President-elect Karen Pati, and Board
member Gini Jones, attended the conference.
The purpose of the conference was to promote the
objectives and programs of Zonta International, a worldwide service
organization of executives in business and the professions working together to
advance the status of women. A major accomplishment at the conference was the
adoption of an anti-trafficking resolution, sponsored by the Sanibel-Captiva
Club. Zonta International promotes
advocacy about trafficking through its service projects and through legislative
awareness in its member countries around the world. After learning that Florida was one of the
top destination markets for the trafficking of women in sex trades, women as
slave workers in farm and service industries, as well as other forms of human
slavery, the local Club proposed that this issue become a focus of the 48 clubs
in District 11. The resolution proposed
by the Sanibel-Captiva Club was adopted unanimously by the district delegates.
Another highlight of the conference were the
“showcase of winners” panels, with members of nine “award winning” Clubs
sharing their secrets of success in the areas of membership, service,
fund-raising, public relations, and long-range planning. The Sanibel-Captiva Club was selected as one
of these award winning Clubs, and a local Club member was a presenter on each
panel. Other Clubs learned from the
Sanibel-Captiva Club’s experience and many were enthusiastic about trying some
of its approaches in their Clubs. During the closing award ceremony, the
Sanibel-Captiva Club was recognized for local and international service in
support of advancing the status of women.
Three young women Zonta scholarship winners from
District 11 were recognized. The Amelia
Earhart Fellowship recipient, a Chinese student at the University of Central
Florida, is studying aerospace science.
This scholarship honors Earhart, one of Zonta’s early members. The Jane Kalusman Women in Business
Scholarship recipient is a business major at Florida State, and she is working
with an orphanage in Guatemala each summer.
The Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipient is a 19-year-old from
Melbourne, Florida. She spoke
passionately about her experience and the organization she founded to address
the silent epidemic of teen dating abuse.
Her goal is to be an elected official and advocate for women and minor’s
rights, and she got the enthusiastic vote of Zontians.
The keynote speaker was Marie Lugano, founder and
president of the American Menopause Foundation, which focuses on research,
education, and advocacy. She provided a
great primer on advocacy in general, and then focused on women’s health during
menopause. The Zontians were surprised
to learn that women have 286,000 more heart attacks than men over 50 each year,
and that the symptoms of a heart attack for women are different—it’s not a
chest pain, but instead nausea, perspiration, and indigestion. She challenged members to educate their
communities about these issues and to become advocates for their own health.
More information about this valuable organization can be found at
www.americanmenopause.org
Long-time local Zontian, Ingeborg Mauksch, who passed
away in June 2004, was honored with a wreath on the water during the Memorial
Program at Conference.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is an organization
of community leaders, professionals, and volunteers working together to provide
service, advocacy, and funds to strengthen women’s lives on the islands, in Lee
County, and around the world through Zonta International. Additional information is available by
calling Ginger Parker (472-6356) or Inge Glissman (472-1862).
Attached are the following photos with captions:
Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva representatives at the
Zonta District 11 Award Banquet:
(left to right): Nola Theiss, Gini
Jones, Susan Dunn, and Darla Letourneau.
Nola Theiss presents the Zonta Club of
Sanibel-Captiva-sponsored Anti-Trafficking Resolution for consideration by the
delegates at the District 11 Conference.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Susan Dunn showcases the Sanibel-Captiva Club’s
award-winning “Peek at the Unique” annual fundraiser.
Karen Pati on the public relations panel.
Darla Letourneau introducing a tool to help clubs
with long term planning.
Ingebourg
Mauksch's Memorial Wreath
July 30, 2004
Six Local Zontians Attend International Conference in
New York City
Over 2200 Zontians from 56 countries descended on New
York City July 3-8 for the biennial meeting.
Sanibel/Captiva club representatives included President Darla
Letourneau, Vice-President Nola Theiss, Immediate Past President Susan Dunn,
President-Elect Karen Pati, Past President Joan Good,and Author Niravi
Payne.
Business meetings included updates on international
service projects including "Anti-Trafficking" in Bosnia/Herzegovina,
"Preventing Violence Against Women" in India, "Aids Prevention and Micro-Credit",
in Niger and "Elimination of Neo-Natal Tetanus" in Afghanistan (which
immunized almost 1 million women of child bearing age in 2003).
The local representatives were charged with
researching the trafficking project(s) as they prepare to focus on Southwest
Florida as a destination for sex slaves and forced labor. In so doing they met with professional women
from Sweden & Australia working toward the same goals of reclaiming the
lives of these women who often find themselves in worlds unknown to them,
without any documentation or power to leave their slave conditions.
Zonta International and local clubs work with partner
organizations which have the expertise to deal with issues through financial
support and advocacy. Members of the Sanibel-Captiva Zonta club have voted to
focus on the Trafficking issue as their International issue of choice because
Florida is a destination and market for these women. It is the club’s intent to
become educated on the issue, research those groups best able to deal with the
problem on a local level, and advocate and educate about the issue.
Incoming International President Mary Ellen Bittner
(Chief Administrative Law Judge for the US Department of Justice) is an
advocate of Zonta's mission, to improve "women's health, education and
economic self-sufficiency". She
discussed the pervasive gender inequality:
"60 million women who should be alive today are not - because of
gender-basedviolence, ranging from dowry killings in India, acid-throwing in
Bangladesh,and domestic violence in the United States...". "Disparities in education are also of concern:
Two-thirds of all the illiterate adults in the world are women...Yet, we know
that family health and well-being rest on the education of women, and educating
females results in lower birth rates,lower infant mortality rates, and lower
maternal death rates." In summary,
"Zontians are capable, enthusiastic and energetic people who are dedicated
to improving the status of women. We
must continue that mission because abetter world for women is a better
world".
Additional speakers included the International
Scholarship winners. The audience was
entranced by the knowledge and comprehension of world affairs from these young
women from China, Germany and the US. The
Young Woman In Public Affairs Award Recipient acknowledged the importance of
understanding international customs, yet refused to accept female genital
mutilation as it only serves to extend the male dominance over females. In
other words, respecting cultural differences does not extend to accepting
actions which are wrong.
Contributions of almost $3 million enabled Zonta
International to award:
These funds and programs are supplemented by local
projects.
And, although Zonta’s achievements are impressive, we
acknowledge that our funds are limited, but OUR ADVOCACY IS UNLIMITED. This is the purpose of local clubs, to
further the Zonta resolutions with local service projects and advocacy. Zonta provides seed money to partner with
local organizations to raise awareness and create solutions to local
problems. Success can be seen in our
partnership with the Southwest Florida Addiction Service (SWFAS). After an initial "Life Skills"
program, the center was able to secure a grant for a full-timeCounselor to
continue the efforts Zonta initiated.
But, what would life be without a balance of work and
play? The club representatives enjoyed
the opportunity to see the sites of NYC with a 4th of July river boat cruise,
during which they engaged in international trade with the Taiwan club, offering
their patriotic hats for Zonta International Pins.Temporary fame was also
achieved with a brief interview with Willard Scott on the Today Show, promoting
Zonta International.
Still you may ask: What is Zonta, Who is Zonta? The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva works to
improve the lives of women on the Islands, in LeeCounty and around the World
(locally and internationally/globally). Zontians are community leaders,
professionals, and volunteers working together to provide service, advocacy and
funds to strengthen women's lives.Induction ceremonies stress: "Membership
in Zonta is an honor and a privilege. It
is also a responsibility".
"Zonta offers our members, who have been successful in their own
careers, the opportunity to give back, and to make a difference to women both
at home and abroad through service and advocacy." As Susan Dunn told
Willard on the Today show, “Check it out!”
The International Board presided over the ceremonies
in
front of the international flags
Nola Theiss addresses the International Board on
behalf of the
Sanibel/Captiva Club
Darla Letourneau, Susan Dunn, Joan Good, Karen Pati
And Nola
Theiss at the Today Show
June 25, 2004
Zonta Club Entertains Young Women from Making It On
Purpose
Over a year ago the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva
made a commitment to become one of the supporters of Making It On Purpose, a program
sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters to work with young women living in the
foster system who are aging out of care as they turn 18. In helping the young
women attain independent living Zonta is fulfilling one of its program goals to
aid women to become self-sufficient. Throughout this year a number of Zontians
and the "M.I.O.P" girls have had both fun and serious work together.
On Saturday, June 5th the club entertained 15 of the
young women at a beach party at Algiers Beach, providing not only a great day
at the beach but also a chance to learn more about the girls, their goals,
difficulties, dreams and plans. There was excitement over high school
graduation, new jobs, new apartments and new experiences. Also in attendance were many Zonta members
and other mentors from Ft, Myers.
The Making it on Purpose program is the brainchild of
Judy Woods of Fort Myers, who organized the group, provides advice and support,
helps raise funds and awareness of needs of young women leaving foster care. It
is a program unique to southwest Florida. For a more in depth description
please go to their very informative website at www.makingitonpurpose.org As their website states, "this vision
is enormous -- and enormously important -- but it is only attainable if the
community at large embraces and supports it."
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva which partners
with Making It On Purpose is a
organization of community leaders, professionals and volunteers working
together to provide service, advocacy and funds to strengthen women’s lives on
the islands, in Lee county and through Zonta International around the world.
The Sanibel-Captiva chapter of Zonta, meets at the Dunes at 7:30 a.m. on the
first and third Wednesdays of each month.
June 18, 2004
Nutritionist Speaks at Zonta Meeting
Carol. Simontacchi, Certified Nutritionist,
counselor, and owner of the Island Nutrition Center, was the speaker at the
Zonta breakfast meeting on Wednesday, June 16. Her topic was Nutrition and Health Issues of
Particular Interest to Women. She
reminded the group that heart disease is the No. 1 risk for women, ranking
above cancer. Symptoms of heart disease for women may be different than
those for men, often more obtuse, including a feeling of general malaise.
She spoke of foods to avoid (rancid fat including
margarine, soft drinks, and processed grains) and foods to enjoy to promote
healthy hearts (walnuts and other raw nuts, lots of vegetables, and natural
oils like fish oil). She recommended
three lifestyle changes: exercise,
sufficient sleep (more than most of us get), and effective stress
management.
Carol is the author of several books, including YOUR
FAT IS NOT YOUR FAULT, THE CRAZY MAKERS: HOW THE FOOD INDUSTRY IS DESTROY ING
OUR BRAINS AND HARMING OUR CHILDREN, and A WOMAN’S GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HEART.
Her most recent book, A NEW HOLISTIC YOU, is scheduled for publication in
January, 2005. She is the author and
designer of Wings: Weight Success for a Lifetime.
Carol obtained her MS in Health and Human Services
through Columbia Pacific University, and is currently working on her PhD in
Nutritional Biochemistry. She is a
professional speaker, focusing on nutritional considerations in mental and
emotional disorders, in weight management, and the heart. Carol is also a member of the Zonta Club.
Carol Simontacchi
June 11, 2004
First Annual Community Service Award Announced
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is very happy to
announce Sanibel School's 8th grader Catherine Schweizer as the recipient of
Zonta's first annual Community Service Award. Each year this award will
recognize the personal efforts of a local young woman student engaged in
service to our community. The club members also aim to encourage other local
young women to think in terms of a lifelong commitment to community and public
service. For the first time this year the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva Club
developed their own version of the Zonta International Young Women in Public
Affairs Award, which recognizes pre-university and pre-college women students
committed to leadership in public policy, government and volunteer
organizations.
Catherine, the daughter of Helen and Jorg Schweizer as
the first recipient was honored on stage at graduation on Thursday, May 27th as
well as at the morning meeting of Zonta on Wednesday, June 2. She was presented with a framed award and a
$50 gift certificate to a popular island book store for her outstanding
commitment this year to volunteering at the Ding Darling Educational Center.
Her mother, Helen, along with Linda Reynolds, the guidance counselor of the
Sanibel School, accompanied her to the breakfast meeting, where she accepted
the award and told us she had logged approximately 40 hours of service. She
said her favorite thing was helping visitors feel comfortable touring the
center and asking for information. This
was Catherine’s first year at the Sanibel School, having visited here with her
family over the past ten years and finally moving here from Basel, Switzerland
last summer to enjoy the warmer climate! She will attend Cypress Lake High
School as a freshman and says she will probably continue her volunteer work
over the summer.
The club also commended Lynn Stern, who coordinated
with the school on this award, for her idea of creating an island
interpretation of the Zonta
International award. For more information
about some of the outstanding young women around the world receiving awards
from Zonta visit www.zonta.org or the international link on www.zontasancap.com
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva, is a organization
of community leaders, professionals and volunteers working together to provide
service, advocacy and funds to strengthen women’s lives on the islands, in Lee
county and through Zonta International
around the world.
Darla Letourneau, President of Zonta of San-Cap and
Catherine Schweizer.
Darla Letourneau, President, Catherine Schweizer,
Helen Schweizer, Linda Reynolds, Sanibel School
Counsellor, and Lynne Stern.
June 20, 2004
Kris Ritts Joins Zonta
Kristin Ritts became a Zonta member at The Dunes on
Wednesday, May 5th.
Kris and her husband Roy became year-round residents
of Sanibel last year, after living part-time on the island since 1997 and
leaving their prior home in southeast Minnesota. In the late 1990s, after careers with the
Mayo Clinic, Roy became a lead physician administrator at the King Faisal
Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, while Kris completed a master’s degree at the University of
Minnesota. They met up during her exchange classwork in France, Austria, and
Switzerland. Prior to that, both had
spent decades with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester where Kris worked in a variety
of administrative areas. She holds an undergraduate degree from Brown
University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.
During the time the couple lived in Rochester,
Minnesota Kris was active in the community. She volunteered with the American
Cancer Society, served on arts organization boards, joined Chamber of Commerce
committees, became Mayo’s delegate to higher education groups, and handled the
United Way campaign within Mayo. Later was the chair of the county United Way
Board. She was a member of Rotary, and
received a Paul Harris fellowship.
Since moving to Sanibel, Kris has become a volunteer
with BIG Arts and the Gumbo Limbo neighborhood association. She and her husband
enjoy gardening, particularly orchids, wine tasting and jazz. Their delight with Sanibel is shared by
their three children each of whom have second homes nearby (two on Sanibel, one
on Pine Island) and visit frequently.
As is the case with most new Zonta members, when Kris
visited as a guest of a neighbor she was impressed by the outgoing nature of
the Zontians. The range of both personal and professional experiences she heard
about from the women in attendance also intrigued her. When invited, she
decided to join as a way to get to know interesting women in the community and
to be involved in community service that can make a difference.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva, is a organization
of community leaders, professionals and volunteers working together to provide
service, advocacy and funds to strengthen women’s lives on the islands, in Lee county and through Zonta International around the
world.. The Sanibel-Captiva chapter of Zonta, meets at the Dunes at 7:30 a.m.
on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Additional information is
available at www.zontasancap.com or by calling Ginger Parker (472-6356) or Inge
Glissman (472-1862)
Left to right:
Esther Saltzman, Kris Ritts, Darla Letourneau, and Susan Dunn.
September 22,
2004
Zontians Relax For A Change!
A bit hurricane weary and looking
forward to another very busy year ahead, the Zonta Club of Sanibel Captiva
decided to take a break and relax for a change last Wednesday. There is no better place to do that than at
Key Lime Bistro on Captiva where they can also support the business of one of
their members, Sandy Stillwell. Many of
the Zontians had not seen each other since before August 13th and so the talk
began with evacuation and how the experience effected us and our businesses.
Those who had been out of town eagerly listened to the stories and shared how
frustrating it had been to be far away from the island. The party was
interrupted for a moment while Sandy was interviewed by FOX news for a comment
on the news that South Seas was not going to be opening for this year's season.
As Sandy shared with us, the loss of business has been dramatic, and as many of
us have learned, insurance coverage is not what we expected. So please do what the Zontians did: support
your locally owned businesses, they need you now more than ever.
Also an email request had gone out
before the party asking for items
to be given to migrant workers whose
housing had been impacted by the hurricane. The Zontians brought cleaning
supplies and household objects which filled up Gini Jones's van.
Five Zontians including the president
Darla Letourneau, Vice-President Nola Theiss, immediate past president Susan
Dunn, and president-elect Karen Pati and member Gini Jones will be heading
off next week to Key-West for the District
11 meeting. Then for the very busy Zonta Club
the 2004-2005 season will begin.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is
a organization of community leaders, professionals and volunteers working
together to provide service, advocacy and funds to strengthen women's lives on
the islands, in Lee County and through Zonta International around the world.
Additional information is available at www.zontasancap.com or by calling Ginger
Parker (472-6356) or Inge Glissman (472-1862).
May 24, 2004
Zonta Club Installs New Officers for 2004-05
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva held its annual
installation of officers event on Tuesday morning , May 19, at the Dunes
Country Club, with Karen Pati acting as mistress of ceremonies.
Past president Esther Saltzman installed the new
officers and board members: Darla Letourneau, president; Nola Theiss, vice
president; Karen Pati, president-elect; Annie Nachtsheim, treasurer; Sue
Denham, recording secretary; Inge Glissman, corresponding secretary ; Barbara
Cooley, Ruth Wallack, Sally Webber, members at large; Susan Dunn, immediate
past president.
Committee Chairs are Ginger {Parker, membership; Gini
Jones, public relations; Sally Webber, finance; Ellis Robinson, status of
women. Retiring president Susan Dunn
made her annual report to the membership, announcing that the Club had met her
goals of raising $25,000 to support of efforts to improve the status of women,
increasing membership, and making the Zonta Club better known in the community.
She thanked the board and committee chairs for their work which made the
successful year possible.
New president Darla Letourneau outlined her plans for
the coming year, focusing on implementing the long term strategic planning
process that the Club began this year. As a result of this process, the Club
will be more focused, more goal and outcome oriented so that we will know how
we are making a difference in women's lives , both in our community and
globally ; and will have a stronger connection with the international part of
Zonta International.
New vice president Nola Theiss closed the meeting,
reminding members that we are now in a position to not only help ourselves
achieve our own full potential, but to help other women secure their place in
the world. Zonta International is a
world-wide service organization of executives in business and the professions,
working to advance and enhance the status of women. Locally, Zonta provides funds and hands-on
service to assist women. Globally, Zonta
focuses on strategies to eradicate inequities and violence against women
through education and advocacy.
Susan Dunn, Ruth Wallack, Barbara Cooley, Inge
Glissman, Karen Pati, Annie Nachtsheim, Nola Theiss, and Darla Letourneau. Sue Denham and Sally Webber were not
available for the photo.
May 1, 2004
Zonta Club Assists Women Transitioning to Homes from
Addiction Treatment
The mission of Zonta
International is to improve the conditions of women's lives. In keeping with
this goal, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva has been working in partnership
with Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS) Transitional Living Program,
helping to build a framework for women who've successfully completed
rehabilitation from substance abuse. The women who go through this program work
hard to turn their lives around. Many of the women were homeless before coming
to SWFAS. Therefore, when they are ready to move into an apartment of their
own, they have no furniture or household goods of any kind.
To help these women
in their growth to self-sufficiency, the Zonta women held a household goods
drive at their April 21 meeting. Many of the women brought towels, sheets,
dishes and small pieces of furniture which could be transported by car. Others
arranged to have furniture picked up at their homes and taken to a storage pod
SWFAS has rented.
Noah’s Ark also
generously agreed to donate to SWFAS the remaining furniture and household
goods after their semi-annual “bag day sale” on April 30th. An incredible team of Noah’s Ark volunteers
assisted a SWFAS/Zonta team in loading four vans full of needed items. Rosemary Boisvert, coordinator of SWFAS’
Transitional Living Center, said, “Through the efforts of Zonta and Noah’s Ark,
we have been able to furnish two 2-bedroom homes, which will allow for two of
our women to reunite with their children and begin their lives in sobriety with
their families. We are extremely
grateful to the community for its generosity.”
The club plans to
continue supplying SWFAS with furniture and household goods for six new
apartments that will soon be open as part of their transition program.
Rosemary Boisvert, SWFAS Coordinator, along with two
assistants, help Zonta member, Barbara Traum, load her VW bug with household
goods donated by Zontians at their April 21st meeting.
SWFAS furnishings1:
Zontian Caroline Hoisington, helps the SWFAS staff load up their van
with household goods donated by Zontians to assist SWFAS clients in
transitioning to their own homes.
After the traditional "bag day sale",
Noah's Ark donates the remaining furniture and household goods to SWFAS for
their transitional living program. Pictured
here is Gillian Bath (right), who coordinated the Noah's Ark efforts on Friday,
with Rosemary Boisvert (left), the SWFAS Coordinator.
April 21, 2004 - New Zonta Members
Three new Zonta members, Connie Clancy, Peggy Newell
and Denise McEnroe became Zonta members at The Dunes on Wednesday, April 21st.
Dr. Connie Clancy is a well-known author, public
speaker and therapist on the islands. She has a private counseling, consulting
and coaching practice at Healthpark of the Islands and Healthpark in Fort
Myers. She has focused much of her postdoctoral studies on mind/body medicine
and stress management and speaks locally and nationally on health and wellness.
She is also a newspaper columnist for the Island Sun and a regular contributor
to the NBC-2 news reports. She has produced a guided relaxation CD and is the
author of Surviving Stress with a Healing Heart.
Peggy Newell is the daughter of long-time Sanibel
resident Sterling Newell. She is a writer, copy editor, researcher and
storyteller. Some of her best stories, she says, come from her experiences as
an intern with Saturday Night Live, her job at Lucasfilm with George Lucas, the
year she spent traveling around the world by herself, (“The World Tour”) and
the year she spent house-sitting around the country (“The Domestic Tour”)
Originally from Cleveland Ohio, she lived many years in California and moved to
Florida last year.
Denise McEnroe is owner of the McEnroe Gallery
featuring local artists and full custom picture framing. Born and raised in New
Jersey, Denise moved to Sanibel nine years ago, to join her parents, Ray and
Cathy McEnroe. She opened Island Framing upstairs in The Tower Gallery in 1997
then opened a second location on the corner of John Morris and McGregor in Fort
Myers a few years later. The McEnroe Gallery, her latest venture on Sanibel was
opened three years ago on Palm Ridge Road. Denise and her fiancé Corey Reeves,
like to scuba dive, ride Harleys and fix up their new house.
The Sanibel chapter of Zonta, an organization working
to improve the lives of women, meets at the Dunes at 7:30 a.m. on the first and
third Wednesdays of each month.
New Zonta Members: Peggy Newell, Denise McEnroe and Connie Clancy were
installed as new members of Zonta at the meeting in the Dunes on Wednesday,
April 19th. From left to right, Membership Chairman Esther Saltzman, Wendy
Humphrey, Peggy Newell, Marie Gargano, Connie Clancy, Ginger Parker and
President, Susan Dunn.
March 16,
2004
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva wishes to send a
big thank you to the homeowners, sponsors, speakers, attendees, volunteers and
media who made this year's Peek at the Unique a grand success. This was the 3rd
annual, and the biggest and best ever. The club sold out at approximately 335
tickets, 45 Volunteers, 12 bus routes, and 4 houses. Net proceeds of
approximately $20,000 will be distributed to improve the lives of women.
Chair Virginia Parker states: "All comments from
our guests were positive...and we were virtually glitch-free. The Peek is a
great example of the quality projects our club can pull off. The teamwork and
focus were evident everywhere."
As the pictures reflect, the Peek at the Unique
features 4 very unique homes. The club focuses on showcasing the diversity of
our islands as well as keeping in step with the Sanibel Vision. Busses are used
to reduce traffic and parking and recycling is mandatory.
Most attendees are repeat guests from prior years;
newcomers participated due to positive word of mouth and local press. We also
met 2 Zontians from Long Island who were vacationing in Sanibel and saw the
details in the local papers. We will have an opportunity to reconnect with them
during the International Conference in New York City this July.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva, part of an
international service organization that works to advance and enhance the status
of women, meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at
The Dunes Restaurant, Sanibel. Meetings are open to all interested persons, and
the breakfast cost for non-members is $8.00. For information call Inge Glissman
at 472-1862.
Architect Toni Ferrell address group
at Clam Song
Guests visit White Heron
The Frida Kahlo exhibit at Katie
Gardenia's
Guests at Clam Song
February 21, 2004
Saturday, March 13 marks Zonta's third annual Peek at the
Unique.
Don't miss this chance to tour four extraordinary island
homes!
Sponsor George Parker, Inc., invites you to explore Clam
Song, on Clam Bayou. Home owner Doris Hardy wanted a home which fit into
its surroundings and was environmentally friendly. The house has a Prairie
School (Frank Lloyd Wright) feel, and uses renewable resources and common
materials with an unusual twist. Architect Toni Ferrell, who guides her
professional life by a belief in the importance of the strengths of local
heritage, will speak about the many special features of this home.
Katie Gardenia's cottage provides entry to a whimsical
tropical world. From the moment you approach the house you are surprised
with sculptures, signs and mobiles which will make you smile. Katie
herself, a local artist with international fame, will take you on a trip
through the magical world of her home.
Co-sponsors Sanibel-Captiva Trust Co. and Robert J. Wigley
give you the opportunity to step back in time as you tour the White Heron
House, an old Flordia farmhouse on Clam Bayou. Purchased by John Oster
(of Osterizer blender fame) to serve as a guest cottage for his Captiva home,
it was moved by barge to its present location. Although the home has
undergone renovations, it still maintains its architectural integrity.
The importance of historic preservation will be discussed here by speaker
Gloria M. Sajgo, a land use planner who has taken part in historic preservation
of buildings and neighborhoods throughout the county.
Nora Price Interiors is the sponsor for the Silver
residence on West Gulf Dr. Recently this home was written up in Grandeur,
a Florida publication featuring luxury homes. This elegant compound is
tucked away in a peaceful garden setting. Speaker JoAnne Marriott, a local
artist who specializes in various faux finishes and other magic with paint,
will guide you on a tour of the many trompe l'oeil and other wall treatments
which are features in this home.
No amount of words or photos could adequately describe
these four homes - they must be experienced first hand! Call 936-7497 for
ticket reservations, and call soon because space fills up fast. Your
adventure will begin at Periwinkle Community Playhouse, where you'll park your
car and board a tour bus. Bus departures are at 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30,
11:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00 and 2:30. The tour will take about three
hours. Light refreshments will be available at the Playhouse before and
after the tour, compliments of local businesses.
Tickets are $40 per person, and will provide you with a
delightful and informative day, with the added blessing of knowing that the
money you've spent will go to help women's charities.
White Heron
Katie Gardenia's Cottage
Silvers Residence
Clam Song
February
10, 2004
Zonta welcomes island favorite, Dee Serage-Century, as the
featured speaker for their February 18th meeting. Mark your calendars and plan
to be at The Dunes at 7:30 AM to hear this engaging presentation by Dee.
"Landscaping for Wildlife" is a topic so important to living
successfully on Sanibel, a "sanctuary" island.
Dee is a 25 year resident of sanibel and has worked for
the Sanibel Captiva conservation Foundation for the last 15 years as the
Landscaping for Wildlife Educator. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the
subject and will help us become more aware of how we can help all the little
critters when we landscape and maintain our yards. Think native!
Dee, Lucas and Gracie (the greyhound) live in their little
grass shack by the lighthouse where Lucas has his glass studio. Dee says she is
so lucky to be making her living doing what she loves…. the wonder and beauty
of the natural world that surrounds us here on Sanibel.
Join us for her specific presentation on "Florida
Butterflies and Native Plants". The Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva, part of
an international service organization that works to advance and enhance the
status of women, meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7:30
a.m. at The Dunes Restaurant, Sanibel. Meetings are open to all interested
persons, and the breakfast cost for non-members is $8.00. For information call
Marie Gargano 395-3089.
January
25, 2004
Zonta of Sanibel-Captiva Welcomes New Members
During the January 21 meeting of Zonta of Sanibel-Captiva,
Wendy West, Maureen O'Brien and Deborah La Gorce joined their 56 island sisters
as full-fledged members. The local Zonta club is chartered club of Zonta
International, a non-partisan and non-sectarian organization open to executive
and professional women (and men) who are decision-makers, executives and professionals
within their community. The mission of Zonta is to provide service on the local
and global level to improve the legal, political, economic, education, health
and professional status of women. We do this through advancing the
understanding, goodwill, peace, justice and universal respect for human rights
and fundamentals freedoms. We unite internationally to foster high ethical
standards, to implement service programs and to provide mutual support and
fellowship for members as we serve our communities, our nation and our
universe.
Zonta of Sanibel-Captiva welcomes their three new members.
Wendy West is a mid-West transplant from Deephaven, Minnesota. While in
Minnesota, Wendy obtained numerous college degrees; Child Psychology,
Elementary School Teaching, Vocational License Adult Education and a master's
in Adult Education. Wendy has been an elementary school teacher, a Mail Order
and Catalog supervisor for a bookstore, a Children's Book and Music buyer, a Parent
Educator, and held many varied jobs with Family Literacy programs. One of
Wendy's skills that many of us will take advantage of is her experience in
local and federal grant writing.
Maureen O'Brien is a management consultant and retired
Partner of Deloitte Consulting. Maureen's professional experience includes
being a writer, editor, and production manager for several non-profit
organizations and a book publisher. She says "My current effort is the
perfect marriage of my consulting experience and writing kills…..developing and
delivering a communication improvement program for junior staff of a 100-person
consulting firm." Last year Maureen served on the teacher mini-grant
selection committee for the Lee County foundation for Public Schools. She tells
us she looks forward to continuing to help Lee Schools along with finding time
for her new hobby, golf.
Deborah LaGorce's devotion to community began at the age
of 15 and she has never stopped since that time. After college and marriage,
Debbie served on the Boards of the Junior League of Washington D.C., Chair of
the Library Board, Community Association Board and Low Income Housing Board of
Middleburg, Virginia. Here on Sanibel, Debbie's continues her volunteer spirit
by being on the Planned Parenthood Board of Ft. Myers, SW and Central Florida
and the Chair of BIG ARTS on Sanibel. When she has time, Debbie other interests
include the Arts, conservation and programs for family planning and sex
education.
Left to
right: Esther Saltzman, Deborah La Gorce, Wendy West, Eleanor Horowitz,
Maureen O'Brien and Nola Theiss.
January
5, 2004
Pam Oakes to Speak at Zonta Meeting
Pam Oakes, owner of Pam's Motor City Automotive in Fort
Myers will be speaking to the Zonta Club on January 21st. A woman, in what is
traditionally a man's occupation, will be discussing preventive
maintenance. The program will include a brief question and answer period.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva, part of an
international service organization that works to advance and enhance the status
of women, meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month. The 7:30 am
breakfast
buffet at the Dunes Restaurant, Sanibel, is open to all interested persons at a
cost of $8 for nonmembers.
For reservations, call Inge Glissman at 472-1862.
