A MESSAGE FROM INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT UTE SCHOLZ

Dear Zontians,

As I write this, I am happily reflecting on my trip to the United Nations in March for the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67). For the first time in four years, Zontians converged in New York for the largest annual gathering on women’s rights worldwide. I loved seeing old friends, making new acquaintances and learning more about the challenges we must overcome to achieve gender equity. Thank you to everyone who attended CSW67 either in-person or virtually. Zonta International was visible and well represented.

We are almost halfway through the 2022–2024 Biennium. I have already had the privilege of visiting an Ending Child Marriage site in India, spent time in Brisbane to plan for the 2024 Convention, and hosted my first in-person board meeting at Zonta International Headquarters in Oak Brook, USA. There have, of course, been many other highlights over the last year. I am looking forward to visiting you at district conferences, attending interdistrict seminars and more.

For me, the Zonta Spirit has never been more alive. This is evident not only when I attend events and meet Zontians, but also when I reflect on how actively you are participating in campaigns such as Add Your Voice, Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and International Women’s Day and Zonta Rose Day.

As you read the following pages, I hope that you enjoy our reflections and celebrations, but also that you are inspired by the work we must continue doing to build a better world for women and girls. As always, thank you for your dedication and your generous donations.

Warm regards,

Ute Scholz President Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women