Members of the Zonta Club of Austin try in a variety of ways to help women advance. You might know them for their nut sales to support advocacy for women. That advocacy took the form of creating BOLT Bags for survivors of domestic violence last week.

The bags have basics such as toiletries, items for children and other items a woman likely would need after escaping from domestic violence, said Zonta member Mary Kittelson.

Zonta members gathered last week in a downtown storefront to assemble bags that are given to authorities to distribute as needed.

Zonta Clubs select, fund and participate in local education, service and advocacy projects that promote women’s equality, said Zonta member Cheryl Retterath. Here in Austin, the Zonta Club has been involved in the Seibel Visitation Center, ARC Mower County, Dr Earl Thompson with Nepal Services, DCD Prom, Austin Adult Leaning (GED’S)  Zonta Club of Austin  Scholarship for Riverland College and the Zonta International Awards.

This month, the Austin club celebrated the 67th anniversary of its organizational meeting and the 98th anniversary of Zonta International. In November 1950, Austin had its organizational meeting and it was chartered with Zonta International in January 1951.

Zonta International has been on the front lines of global and local efforts to help women overcome barriers to equal education, health care, legal rights, credit and employment through education, service and advocacy programs funded by the Zonta International Foundation. Founded in 1919 in Buffalo, New York, the organization now has nearly 30,000 members in more than 1,200 clubs in 67 countries and geographic areas.

“The active engagement and participation of women in policy making and strategy development, and the creation of gender-sensitive programs are both vital for the full attainment of the goals of gender equality, education, sustainable development and the elimination of all forms of discrimination and harmful practices against them,” said Zonta Club of Austin President Renee Anderson.

For further information about Zonta International or the Zonta Club of Austin, you can contact Retterath at 438-4330 or Mary Jo Follmuth at 437-8773.

Zontians worldwide have provided more than $22 million for international programs and projects benefiting more than eight million women in over 67 countries. Zonta International service programs are currently focused on providing educational opportunities and access to healthcare, and the prevention of violence against women and include:

•  The Amelia Earhart Fellowships, provide Fellowships to women in 58 countries for graduate work in aerospace science and engineering since 1938.

•  The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships, providing financial support for women pursuing business management careers.

•  The Young Women in Public Affairs Awards to high school women who demonstrate a commitment to service in their schools and communities.

•  The International Service Program, funding projects that empower women to overcome barriers to their equal human rights. During the 2016-18 biennium, Zonta is providing support to the following: UNICEF Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Rwanda, UNIFEM Safe Cities for Women Project in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and San Salvador, El Salvador and UNFPA Reduction of Obstetric Fistula in Liberia within the context of Maternal and Newborn Health.