District News

2019 Fall District Conference

September 20 – 22, 2019, Indianapolis, IN

At the Zonta Disrict 6 Fall Conference hosted by Area 4 members celebrated the Zonta International Centennial. We were honored to have special guest Christina Rylander Bergqvist-ZI Director District 21 from Sweden. In support of the ZI bienniam project to End Child Marriage, Keynote Speaker Donna Pollard, Founder of Survivors Corner, presented her organization’s goal of helping victims of child marriage. She shared her personal experience of being a child bride.

Conference attendees were greeted by a sixteen wheeler with the Zonta Says No theme. Zonta Club of Kankakee launched this campaign to celebrate their 60th Anniversary a few years ago.

Former Zonta District Governors Centennial Toast 

Left to right: Tamara Hagen, Donna Conant, Linda Hiltabrand, Yvonne Chalfant, Sally Bean, Jackie Beaudry and Peg Dowling. 

Steve Hoekstra, owner of Hoekstra Transportation accepts a District 6 Centennial Award for wraping a number of semi-trailer trucks with the Zonta Says No logo. The trucks bring awareness to human trafficking in the trucking business. He is joined by Christina Rylander Bergqvist, far right, ZI Director District 21 who is from Sweden.

  
The dinner began with a presentation of the colors by a Jr ROTC group made up of all girls from a local high school. They joined us for dinner. Governor Elaine presents YWPA award to Catherine Carranza-Bahena from Peoria, IL.

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Tamara Hagen, past District 6 Governor gave a presentation on her site visit to the Let Us Learn Project in Madagasgar, a partnership between ZI International Foundation and UNICEF.

Zontian Cornelia Hodges

A couple of weeks ago I learned of the death of a long time Zontian Cornelia Hodges at age 95. She was special to our district for many reasons. Cornelia was a long time Zontian with her home club being Springfield.  She served as our District Governor from 1972-1974 and was also International President from 1982-1984. Many of us remember the wells in Sri Lanka. That was pushed by Cornelia. She will be sorely missed.

I was able to attend a memorial for Cornelia on December 7 in Breese, Illinois. I met several people who new her well and because of her also new Zonta well. I learned a great deal about this amazing lady. I wish I had met her more than just briefly at the Orlando convention. Zonta was her life.

2020 International Convention 

4 – 8 July, 2020 – Chicago, Illinois

More information at: http://convention.zonta.org/

2020 Zonta District 6 Calendar

2020  Workshop Schedule

 
2019  Area 2 Workshop: Presentation by Zonta Madison member Mary Helen Conroy. District Foundation and Centennial Chair Yvonne Chelfant presented at all District Workshops.

Area 1     March 7 –  Hosted by Zonta Club of St Charles Geneva Batavia at  Lombardo, Illinois
Area 2     March 28 – Hosted by Zonta Club of Milwaukee, Milwaukee,  WI
Area 3     April 4 –      Hosted by Zonta Club of Alton-Wood River, Alton, Illinois
Area 4     April 18 –  Hosted by Zonta Club of Frankfort, Frankfort, Indiana
Area 5     March 21 – TBA

SAVE THE DATE

2020 District 6 Conference 

October 9-11, Joliet, IL hosted by Area 5
In 1673, Louis Joliet, along with Father Jacques Marquette, paddled up the Des Plaines River and camped on a huge mound, a few miles south of present-day Joliet. Joliet has numerous waterways, outstanding Historical Museum and the famous Rialto Theatre. The Theatre has been called one of the most beautiful theaters in the world. Watch for Spring Registration information coming soon.

2020 Zonta District 6 Calendar

2020  Workshop Schedule

 
2019  Area 2 Workshop: Presentation by Zonta Madison member Mary Helen Conroy. District Foundation and Centennial Chair Yvonne Chelfant presented at all District Workshops.

Area 1      March 7 –  Hosted by Zonta Club of St Charles Geneva Batavia at  Lombardo, Illinois
Area 2     March 28 – Hosted by Zonta Club of Milwaukee, Milwaukee,  WI
Area 3     April 4 –       Hosted by Zonta Club of Alton-Wood River, Alton, Illinois
Area 4     April 18 –   Hosted by Zonta Club of Frankfort, Frankfort, Indiana
Area 5 –  March 21, TBA
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SAVE THE DATE

2020 District 6 Conference 

October 9-11, Joliet, IL hosted by Area 5

In 1673, Louis Jolliet, along with Father Jacques Marquette, paddled up the Des Plaines River and camped on a huge mound, a few miles south of present-day Joliet. Joliet has numerous waterways, outstanding Historical Museum and the famous Rialto Theatre. The Theatre has been called one of the most beautiful theaters in the world. Call to Conference Registration information closer to Conference will include more details.

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As usual the Convention was phenomenal. It is hard to express in words what it is like to go to an International Convention. There is the excitement of seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The opening ceremony is always something that makes one proud to be a Zontian as well as an American as Zonta was started by a forward group of Americans and now extends around the world to 66 different countries. It is always a great thrill when someone from District 6 carries the US Flag. This year our own Jackie Beaudry carried the flag that then stood by the flag of our international President’s country Sweden and the host country Japan.

Before the actual opening ceremony, a group of Japanese Drummers took the stage and gave a spectacular performance. These young men have been all over Japan and the world and won many contests. The most interesting fact about these young men was that they are one of the Z-clubs of Japan. The incoming Governor of Japan was so proud of these young men and believe me she had every reason to be they did Zonta well.

The memorial service was inspiring. A Japanese violinist used her talents to help celebrate the Zontians that are no longer with us. Each Governor carried a yellow rose for the Zontians in their districts that passed during the past biennium. Governor Tammy carried District 6 Rose to represent our sisters and friends who we will all miss and see again in the future.

For myself there were two other especially exciting things. One was of course my instillation as your governor. I am excited and thrilled to serve as your governor for the next two years. I am also scared so you will see me call on all of you for help. I thank you

ahead of time for your help.    The other thing that really excited me was being able to see, rather up close, the Empress of Japan. It was an honor and something I will never forget. Now it is time to get my heads out of the clouds and down to work.

Submitted

Elaine Rynders

Governor District 6