Young Women in Public Affairs Awards
Eligibility
Pre-university or pre-college women students (ages 16-20) at the time of application are eligible to apply.
Award
District award recipients receive US $500 from the Zonta International Foundation YWPA Fund. Districts may choose to add to this award amount.
International award recipients are selected from District Recipients and receive US $1,000.
Application Process
The YWPA Awards Program operates at the Club, District, and International levels of Zonta International, and is managed by Zonta Members. To apply, please go to the Zonta International website. If unable to download the application from the website, contact the district 5 chairperson, Serena Mitchem at serenamitchem@westfieldgrp.com
Phase I
Zonta Clubs publicize the award in their communities, distribute, receive and evaluate applications. All application materials, recommendations, and verification of enrollment must be received at Zonta Club(s) by end of February (please note that all the Zonta Clubs have different deadlines). Zonta Clubs must submit their Award recipient’s application to the Zonta International District Governor by 1 April.
Phase II
Zonta Clubs select one application to send to the Zonta District Governors. The District Evaluating Committee selects a District recipient from the applications submitted by the Zonta Clubs within the District. The District Governor submits the recipient’s application to Zonta International Headquarters by 1 May. The Zonta International Foundation provides an award of US $500 and a certificate to each of the 30 District YWPA Award recipients
.Phase III
The Zonta International YWPA Subcommittee selects five International Award recipients by 30 June from the District application received. The Zonta International Foundation provides a US $1,000 award and certificate for each International YWPA Award recipient.
Key Dates:
- March: Application must be received by Zonta Clubs Contact Club
- April 1: Club recipient is selected and application is received by 1 April
- 1 May: District recipient selected and application received by Zonta International Headquarters
- 30 June: Announcement of International receipients
2009 Winnner
Margaret Ann MacDonald of Cutler, Ohio was named the recipient of the 2009 Zonta International District 5 Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Scholarship. Ms. MacDonald was nominated by the Zonta Club of Marietta & Environs, and will receive a $1,000 scholarship and certificate of recognition from District 5. Her application has also been submitted to Zonta International for consideration as one of five international recipients for a $3,000 scholarship.
Ms. MacDonald was named the Zonta International District 5 YWPA recipient because of her extensive leadership role and involvement in her community. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field of social work at either the University of Cincinnati or Ohio University, and then to attain her masters’ degree or enter law school specializing in public interest law. Ms. MacDonald believes women should take measures to realize a more equitable distribution of power between women and men in government and in all leadership positions. “We need to continue to highlight the accomplishments of women by promoting and instilling in young girls that anything is possible. It is important for those of us who are fortunate to have abilities and resources to work hard to be positive role models for the less fortunate within our communities,” Ms. MacDonald stated.
The goal of the Zonta International YWPA program is to encourage more young women to participate in public and political life. YWPA scholarships are awarded annually to young women (age 16-20) who display commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements, and dedication to the advancement of women. Applicants are asked to reflect on their voluntary commitment to their school and their community, and to identify the problems limiting the advancement of the status of women in their own country and worldwide. The Zonta International YWPA program looks to the young women of today for the leaders of tomorrow. Since 1990, Zonta International has presented 498 YWPA awards totaling $274,750 to 446 young women representing 49 countries.
Zonta International District 5 includes the geographic areas of Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia with over 530 members in 17 Clubs. Zontians give generously of their time, talent and financial resources to their local communities and international service projects through Zonta International. All projects and programs meet the mission and goals of improving the legal, political, economic, health, educational and professional status of women locally and globally. Clubs provide scholarships for young women advancing in the math and sciences, support domestic violence survivors and organizations, and promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Human trafficking awareness, rescue and recovery efforts are an example of the projects and programs that District 5 Zonta clubs are involved in. Each club determines what service projects will best serve their local communities and aligns with Zonta International’s mission and goals.
Zonta International, with world headquarters in Chicago, IL, USA, is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women through service and advocacy. The Young Women in Public Affairs Award is one of many programs for women and girls sponsored by Zonta International. The YWPA scholarship is funded by voluntary contributions to the Zonta International Foundation. Applications for the 2010 Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award will be available on the Zonta International website in October 2009.
