About Us
History of Zonta Cortland
The Zonta Club of Cortland was chartered on October 12, 1973.
As a service organization, the major focus of our activities involves fund raising in order to make donations to area projects and volunteering for, and serving on, boards of the major agencies of the community. Local service projects include contributions of approximately $8000, with awards to agencies such as YWCA’s Aid to Victims of Violence and the Jacobus Center for Reproductive Health. In addition, the Zonta Club of Cortland awards scholarships to two female high school seniors from Cortland County schools and a non-traditional scholarship for a woman who wants to further her education and reenter the workforce.
Zonta also sponsors prizes for the annual YWCA Famous Women Essay Contest and gives special recognition for volunteer service to a local teenager through the annual Jean M. Coon Award. The club previously held a fashion show/fundraiser, and now celebrates important women in history as its fall fundraiser.
We support and maintain the Zonta garden on Clinton Avenue.
Our Mission
Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
Our Vision
Zonta International envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.
Our Voices
With nearly 30,000 members belonging to 1,200 clubs in 67 countries, Zontians volunteer their time, talents and support to local and international service projects focusing on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs
Zonta clubs sponsor Z clubs for high school students and Golden Z clubs for college or university students to develop leadership skills, promote career exploration and encourage members to participate in school, community and international service projects. There are currently more than 100 Golden Z clubs and more than 200 Z clubs in 20 countries around the world.
Zonta International and the United Nations
Zonta has General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), consultative status with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), participatory status with the Council of Europe, and special relationships with United Nations entities promoting women’s rights. Zonta also maintains representatives at UN sites in Geneva, New York, Paris and Vienna.
Membership in Zonta Cortland
We welcome applications from interested women who live in the greater Cortland County area.
If you are interested in submitting an application, please click the 'Become a Member' button to access the application link.
If you have questions about membership, please email zontacortland@gmail.com