Emilie Owens, Zonta Toledo 1 Club President
When Tricia and I were pouring over the club archives for our 90th Celebration, we learned so very much about this club and what a fabulous collection of women make up its history. The legacy these women have left behind is absolutely amazing! They were doctors, lawyers, educators, financial experts, and business women of all types – and many held these positions ahead of their time. But they were also advocates, philosophers and generous philanthropists who were very dedicated to Zonta and its work. Many were trailblazers in their field, explorers in the world and in the workplace.
Well, once again, this month, we will honor Amelia Earhart, a true trailblazer. Amelia possessed a shy, charismatic appeal that belied her serious determination and ambition. In her passion for flying, she amassed a number of distance and altitude world records and became a cultural icon of the early half of the 20th century. But beyond her accomplishments as a pilot, she also made a statement about the role and worth of women. She dedicated much of her life to proving that, like men, women could excel in their chosen professions and they could have equal value. She hoped her influence would help topple the negative stereotypes of women and open doors previously closed to women in science and engineering. Today, women remain a distinct minority, representing approximately 10 percent of professionals in these fields.
The Amelia Earhart Fellowship program helps talented women, pursuing advanced studies in the typically male-dominated fields of aerospace-related sciences and engineering, achieve their educational goals. Since the program’s inception in 1938, Zonta has awarded 1,297 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totaling $7 million, to nearly 1000 women representing 64 countries. The AE Fellowships focus on eliminating the gender bias that women face in pursuing doctoral degrees in the sciences and enable these women to invest in state-of-the-art computers to conduct their research, purchase expensive books and resource materials, and participate in specialized studies around the globe. Each year, Zonta International awards 35 fellowships of $10,000. AE Fellows have gone on to become astronauts, aerospace engineers, astronomers, professors, geologists, business owners, heads of companies, even Secretary of the US Air Force!
In 1928 Amelia Earhart was inducted into Zonta International and served as an active member first in the Boston club and later in the New York club until her tragic and untimely disappearance. Because of her remarkable achievements, Amelia Earhart is universally admired around the world. To Zontians, she has served as an example of courage, intelligence and self-reliance.
Next week, Rhonda Sewell will present: “A Sisterhood Which Soared High: The Bonds among Aviatrixes Amelia Earhart, Willa B. Brown and Bessie Coleman”. Please plan to join us. In fact, feel free to bring a friend…
Fondly,
Emilie
Welcome to Zonta Club of Toledo 1. We are part of a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions. Our mission is to advance the status of women worldwide. With more than 31,000 members belonging to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 64 countries and geographic areas, Zontians all over the world volunteer their time, talents and support to local and international service projects.