40 YEARS Inspiring Impact: Zonta Foundation for Women Quarterly Report

Throughout time, women’s contributions have too often been minimized, overlooked or outright erased From groundbreaking scientists to visionary leaders and brave activists, women have shaped the world we live in, yet their stories are frequently absent from our textbooks, museums and public consciousness. This erasure is not accidental. It is a result of long-standing structural inequalities that have devalued women’s work and restricted their access to education, leadership and influence.

Consider the "discovery" of DNA's double helix. While James Watson and Francis Crick are celebrated, Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction images, vital to their work, were largely overlooked for decades Similarly, countless women throughout history, remain anonymous This pattern of omission teaches us a skewed history, one that suggests women have been passive observers rather than active agents of change When young girls and women do not see themselves reflected in the achievements of the past, it limits their aspirations and reinforces the idea that their potential is inherently less. It perpetuates a cycle where women's contributions continue to be undervalued in the present.

Correcting this imbalance starts with investing in women’s and girls’ potential and ensuring their achievements are celebrated and remembered That is why supporting Zonta International’s educational awards is so essential Programs like the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award, Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award and Zonta Women in STEM Award do more than provide financial support They open doors to academic and professional spaces where women have been historically underrepresented. These awards empower women and girls to pursue careers in fields where their voices and perspectives are critically needed and cultivate a new generation of leaders, who are not only breaking barriers, but documenting their journeys and creating a legacy that will not be so easily erased Each Zonta awardee becomes part of a growing network of women changing the narrative, one achievement at a time

Supporting these awards is more than philanthropy; it is a statement of belief in equity, progress, and the importance of preserving women's stories By investing in women’s and girls’ education today, we ensure that their innovations, leadership and impact will not only be remembered and celebrated in the historical record but shape a more gender-equal and prosperous future for all.

History is not complete without women. With Zonta’s support, we can make sure that the future is not only more equitable, but also more accurate because every woman deserves to be seen, heard, and remembered.