Clad in coats and hats, the women from the nine charter clubs met a 100 years ago on a chilly autumn day at the Statler Hotel in upstate New York. Their objective was to "develop a new kind of service club composed of women who were recognized leaders in their business and professions,” noted the souvenir brought out by the Zonta Clubs of Bombay I and III to commemorate the centenary year of the social service organization.
The Confederation of Zonta Clubs was formed in Buffalo on November 18, 1919 at the initiative of Marian de Forest with Mary Jenkins being elected the first president. Zonta is a Sioux Indian word that signifies "honesty and trustworthiness.” The Club’s symbol is a yellow rose and the colors are mahogany and gold. There are approximately 30,000 members in over 1,200 clubs in 67 countries. District 25, where the Bombay clubs are situated, comprises Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka. Clubs are encouraged to "Think globally and act locally.” The organization has a "close partnership” with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
Clockwise from top l: Delegates at the November 1919 founding of Confederation of Zonta Clubs;
Zareen Hussain; Dr Nayreen Daruwalla; Arnavaz Pithawalla (l); Shehernaz Asavaid; Errick Elavia;
Hsin Hsin Yang, Mahazaver Dalal, Yen Tu Chao, Firuza Sena and other Zontians
In Bombay, the 100th anniversary was celebrated at Jai Hind College with an "evening laced with Western and Bollywood songs,” and included theme dances conveying Zonta’s commitment to "Say no to violence” and "Women empowerment,” noted past president of Zonta Club Bombay III (ZCB III) Mahazaver Dalal. She sent Parsiana a write-up on the November 2, 2019 "Zonta Centennial Melody Night,” held jointly with Zonta Club of Bombay I where Shehernaz Asavaid is president. The Bombay-based Clubs work with Clubs around the world to help end the practice of child marriage, noted their centenary souvenir. Their programs include donations towards medical relief, educational scholarships, and contributions towards wool for women engaged in kusti weaving.
The performers for the folk and modern dances were students of the Lady Engineer High School and Girton High School, who were joined by teachers of Feel the Dance Academy and the crew of Monarch Entertainers. Guest artist Delzad Doctor presented a fusion dance based on Kathak, wrote Dalal.
While governor elect Errick Elavia, reportedly the first male governor in the Zonta world, and principal of Lady Engineer High School welcomed the guests, vice director Firuza Sena, who represents India and Sri Lanka, introduced service partners of ZCB III. Dr Nayreen Daruwalla, director of nongovernmental organization SNEHA and Jyoti Nale, director of Save the Children were felicitated with Centennial Community Awards. Longstanding members Tanaz Tarapore (56 years of membership), Havovi Dotivala (47 years), Freny Paghdiwala (40 years) and Gulshan Patel (30 years) were felicitated with mementoes. Dalal noted that Zonta’s international centennial committee member Hsin Hsin Yang (Taiwan) was present with other members from that country, as was vice director Zareen Hussain who represents Bangladesh and Nepal. ZCB III president Arnavaz Pithawalla proposed a vote of thanks.