Brittney Stewart, foreign service officer at the US Department of State, who was chief guest at the 37th Charter Nite and presentation of awards of the Zonta Club of Bombay III (ZCB III) at Hotel Diplomat on April 29, 2016 was impressed with the good work done by the Club to better the status of women and children through advocacy and service. Inspired by the work of the awardees, she stated that her department would be glad to work in partnership with Zonta, notes an email received from Firuza Sena, ZCB III president. Zonta International, with 30,000 members in 67 countries, is a leading global organization of professionals who empower women worldwide.
Members of Zonta Club of Bombay III and II with dignitaries
Guddi Advani, president of the Seva Sadan Society received the Woman of the Year Award 2016. Speaking about how Seva Sadan was training girls and women with good education and values and preparing them to face the world, she said that Zonta and Seva Sadan shared the same cause. Learners of today are the leaders of tomorrow and we must give them the opportunity, she added. The Encouragement Award 2016 was received by differently abled Zainab Siamwala who, despite being physically challenged, is a cyclist, swimmer and basketball player. She is also studying law.
A Special Recognition Award was presented to Dr Kokila Shah for obtaining a PhD in philosophy at the age of 78. Her message to the gathering was you must have strong will and work hard to achieve your goals for your own satisfaction and pleasure despite factors like age and health. Three students of the Jankibai Bajaj Institute of Management Studies received the J. M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship.
Listen to them, advised Dr Shazneen Limjerwala, who has been doing research on violence against women and the trauma they suffer. Change in mindset is required for which we have to sow the seeds today, said the former Zonta Woman of the Year 2012 whose research was partially sponsored by ZCB III. Two Zontians, Arnavaz Pithawala and Roshni Meherhomji, shared the Zontian of the Biennium award of the Club, while the Award for Personal Involvement went to Jyoti Vora, notes the email.
The 37th Charter Nite Project of ZCB III was held in collaboration with the Family Planning Association of India (FPAI) for the prevention and treatment of HIV in women. Amita Dhanu of FPAI spoke of the work done by the Association to prevent early marriage and transfer of HIV from mother to unborn child.