Day 16
VITALS By Darlene Elias No feeling of pain, no tears in sight. Blown out is the fire that ignites the […]
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Every Woman Deserves a Voice—Help Us Amplify It.
Every Woman Deserves an Opportunity—Help Us Provide It.
Zonta Foundation for Women
Please join us on May 12th for a dinner meeting at the Ludlow Country Club as our guest to learn about what Zonta is and how it operates locally and globally to make a better world for women and girls. Our speaker is Dr. Mary Ann Rubis of Chicopee, District 1 Ambassador for the Zonta Foundation for Women. CALL TO ACTION: Contact info@zontaqv.org on or before May 7 to learn more and to reserve your seat.
Disabled Women and Climate Disasters
On April 10th we were joined by Melissa Marshall, J.D., Director of Policy & Programs for the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (Disability & Disaster Hub) www.disasterstrategies.org Hotline: Melissa’s organization supports disaster survivors (connecting disabled people with local resources), increases education and awareness, and influences policy and systems change.
Climate change has increased disasters and climate disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and those living in low-income communities. There is also limited understanding of how disability intersects with other identity factors, including gender, age, socio-economic status education, sexual orientation and race. What can we do? Get to know your neighbors and their needs.
Reduce gender inequality PRIOR to disasters – support disabled women in poverty reduction and independent living; educate about climate change, disasters and self-advocacy; provide equal access to disaster-related programs and services; involve disabled women in disaster planning and in discussing simulated emergency scenarios to identify potential gaps or weaknesses in responses.
Also, please check out: Emergency Preparedness Plan Word document PDF
Zonta’s 16 days of activism began on November 25 and concluded on December 10th – the same day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The Declaration proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status. This year for our Advocacy project volunteer contributors from The Writing Sisters submitted poems about women with the following themes: Empowerment, Survival, Resilience, Mother, and Shero’s. Each day, a poem was posted on our Zonta of Quaboag Valley web page and on Facebook. Women are increasingly impacted by gender-based violence, health care, climate change, and suffer economically throughout the world. Our hope is that our personal writings will raise awareness and inspire others to address these issues in their communities.
The Writing Sister’s Contributors: Christine Gay Dutton, Darlene Elias, Karen Keough-Huff, Marissa Quintero, Gri Saex, Kelberlin Tejeda, Jacqueline Velez, Mydalis Vera
The campaign culminated on 9 December with a powerful performance of the poems by the Writing Sisters during a gathering with the club members. The event was a moving tribute to strength and advocacy, leaving a profound impact on all in attendance
The Writing Sister’s are a group of BIPOC and LBGTQ+ women writers who live in Western Massachusetts. They meet in person and on Zoom to support each other’s writing. The group is available for presentations and workshops to support local communities.
Day 15
Written in memory of one of my first Shero’s, my aunt, Sandra Elise Thidemann Howley. She passed away one year […]
Day 14
December 8 – Day 14 of the 16 Days of Advocacy I OFTEN WONDER By Marissa Quintero Is it possible […]
Day 13
December 7th – the 13th Day of Advocacy SHY GIRL By Karen Keough-Huff Quiet voice, head down Eyes that look […]
Day 12
December 6th = the 12th Day of Activism TORONJAS By Mydalis Vera Mami used to walk miles through the hills […]
Day 11
December 5th ~ Day 11 of the 16 Days of Activism LOTUS By Christine Dutton We will glean from the […]
Day 10
December 4th – 10th Day of 16 Days of Activism WHO AM I? By Kelberlin Tejeda I’m a Bird in […]
Day 9
December 3 – Day 9 of the 16 Days MASTERMIND By Darlene Elias Pop, pop, give it up, hocus, pocus, […]
Day 8
December 2nd ~ Day 8 of the 16 Days of Activism MY SINCERE PLEA By Marissa Quintero In the very […]
Day 7
December 1 – 7th of the 16 Dys of Actvism “Window Panes” By Jacqueline Velez Kids runnin’ round this […]
Day 6
November 30th – Day 6 of the 16 Days of Activism It Runs in the Family By Gri Saex Cousin […]
Day 5
November 29 – A Shero poem. Diana exemplifies survival, resilience, and empowerment. She and Bonnie are 2 of my all-time […]
Day 4
November 28th – Day 4 of the 16 Days of Activism GUERRERA By Mydalis Vera… Her mother’s roots grew deep […]
Day 3
I AM A MOUNTAIN By Karen Keough-Huff… When I was young I loved climbing trees All the way to the […]
Day 2
BREAKTHROUGH By Darlene Elias … Darkness is prevailing. I cannot see. Shock waves through the body. It is surreal. Disbelief […]
Day 1
ORIGIN By Christine Gay Dutton… We all arise from beds and homes not chosen, and in time the fox will […]
On November 11th at the Ludlow Country Club, Attorney Elizabeth G. Dineen, CEO of the YWCA of Western MA ~ a strong, passionate advocate for women and children throughout her career ~ will share her insights on finding a way forward, working collaboratively, supporting each other and modeling for the next generation of women leaders how to live a better life. Read more/
Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders
We were inspired to inspire at the October 14th meeting, celebrating International Day of the Girl Child. This special evening was dedicated to mentoring young girls and fostering strong, confident future leaders. Keynote Speaker Alison Berman, Council Director dove into the specifics for Girls on the Run Western MA, unveiling evidence-based strategies that empower girls to recognize their inner strength, boost their physical activity, and envision boundless possibilities. Read More.
Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley is seeking applications for its 2025 Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award. The goal of the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award is to encourage young women to participate in leadership positions by recognizing a young woman’s commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and dedication to building a better world for women in girls.
The Club award is $1000. The winner is then eligible for a $5000 award from Zonta International.
Click her for Award Description and Application.