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January 2011
District 3 Governor’s
Newsletter
ZONTA
INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT 3
Inside this issue:
ZI News
2
LAA Committee
Ratification of CEDAW
3
What is CEDAW
Conference Donations
Say No Campaign
4
D3 Treasurer News
Lt. Governor Message
5
Archive Committee
2010 Achievement
Awards
6
Food Bank Donations
Spring Workshops
7
Area 4 News
Pre-Conference Tour
UN Event
8
Distr ict 3 Governor ’s News letter
DISTRICT 3
GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER
Save the Dates 9
News on Dues
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Dear District 3 Zonta Members,
As we begin a new year, I would like to reflect on what we
have accomplished and experienced over the last few months of this new
Biennium and look ahead to what 2011 will bring us locally, globally and
to each other.
With a total of 120 registrants, we had a terrific time in Atlantic City at the 2010 District Conference.
Not only did we have a record number of First Timers attend (total of 37), but we also had all 33 clubs
represented at conference—with only 1 club represented by a proxy. This was an amazing result and I
thank each of you for attending and Making a Difference!
We were also able to collect 183 pounds of food items for the FoodBank of New Jersey—a great
contribution from our District 3 Zontians giving back locally to the Atlantic City area. And we opened our
wallets and donated over $5000 to the Zonta International Foundation to support our ZI Service Projects.
ZISVAW Projects and our Educational Programs—Making a Difference Globally. Thank you for your
generosity and support of our mission to advance the status of women worldwide.
My hope is that all of you that did attend conference will spread the word to other Zontians in your club
and around the District so they know to Save the Date and plan on attending next year’s conference in
Solomon’s Island, Maryland. We all enjoyed quite the ―show‖ as the Zonta Club of Charles County Area
invited us all to come join them September 23-25, 2011.
Now going into 2011, I want to encourage you all to continue working on membership—not just getting
members to join, but putting a mentoring program into play in your club and ensuring—based on their
talents and skills—they contribute in their own way to make our organization stronger and more impactful
to those that we serve. Helen Keller once said, ―Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.‖
―Being present‖ is a term I am trying to focus on more in these very busy times we all find ourselves in.
And in order to ―Be Present,‖ you have to participate. Do not miss the chance for some expansive Zonta
fellowship at our upcoming UN Event in February and at the Area Spring Workshops in April. Check the
save the dates section for more details.
In closing, I would like to say to all of you that I am very excited about 2011 and know we will continue
to grow together if we remain focused and committed to the District 3 and the Zonta International goals.
The end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 could not be better for me personally with Barry coming home—
that was my holiday gift! Barry wanted me to convey to you that he is back—ready, willing and able to
help Zonta in anyway he can. I have accepted his offer.
Best wishes to you, your family and friends for a joyous, peaceful and prosperous 2011. I look forward
to Making a Difference with all of you over the next year and beyond.
Yours in Zonta,
Lisa Fraser, District 3 Governor
Club Mailing 10
UN News
Carol Beaver 11-12
Remarks
Pictures 13
The Latest News from
Zonta International
ZI President Receives Prestigious Award
Page 2 District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
The District 3 Team
This biennium we have as
District 3 Board Members
Governor, Lisa Fraser
Zonta Club of Hampton Roads
Lt. Governor, Paulette Chatman
Zonta Club of Essex County
Secretary, Linda Butler Livesay
Zonta Club of Philadelphia
Treasurer, Cathy Paul
Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey
Area 1 Director, Kathy Rau
Zonta Club of Long Island
Area 2 Director, Elizabeth Smith
Zonta Club of Morristown Area
Area 3 Director, Alice Kirchner
Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey
Area 4 Director, Margo Sheridan
Zonta Club of Arlington Area
Parliamentarian, Judy Maietta
Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey
Dianne Curtis, President of ZI and ZIF, was awarded
the Minerva Award or Premio Minerva 2010 on
November 15, 2010 in the Hall of the Capitol in Rome,
Italy.
Pictured here with United Nations Committee Vice
Chairman-Geneva Simone Ovart , President Curtis is
the first American to receive this prestigious award.
Established in 1983 by Anna Maria Mammoliti, Presidet
of Il Club delle Donne (Women’s Club), the Minerva Award is given annually to
remarkable women working in the fields of entrepreneurship and management,
scientific research, arts, literature and social commitment who continuously fight to
instill new knowledge, new values and new passions in their communities.
President Curtis was presented with the symbol of the Minerva Award at the award
ceremony—a brooch in silver, gold and precious stones, depicting the goddess
Minerva.
The ZI Public Relations and Communications Committee has developed a Power
Point presentation and script for each of the 2010-2012 International Service Projects
and the ZISVAW Projects. These presentations have been developed to give Zontians,
particularly those who did not have the opportunity to attend the International Con-
vention in San Antonio, an opportunity to better understand the reasons for the goals
of our projects.
They have also been designed for non-Zontians who are interested in the work we
do. Finally, they should serve as a way to raise money for our service projects through
giving to our Foundation. President Curtis has approved each of the presentations,
and they have been posted on the ZI website for those projects whose Memoranda of
Understanding have been signed between the various UN agencies and Zonta Interna-
tional. To date these include the Rwanda project, the Burns victims project and the
Haiti project.
Governor Lisa Fraser has sent the three presentations and scripts to all of the club
presidents, and they are also available for all to view at www.zonta.org– Member
Resources-Tools-Public Relations Tools-Presentations.
Please use these valuable resources in your club meetings, new member events or
even at prospective member gatherings.
More News from ZI
Power Points Available
Inside Story Headline
Inside Story Headline
County, Hampton Roads,
Prince William County and
Washington, DC. Bobee may
be reached at
bcardillo@cbmove.com or
703-978-5530.
Barbara Taylor, Zonta Club
of Annapolis, has
responsibilities for the clubs of
Annapolis, Baltimore, Frederick, Howard County,
Charles County Area,
Montgomery County, and
Prince George’s County Area.
Barbara may be reached at
bgtaylor03@verizon.net or
410-267-8795.
We hope that this new
structure will bring us LAA
news on a state and regional
basis.
The District 3 LAA Committee
has a new configuration this
biennium. Pictured above is
Leslie Wright, Zonta Club of
New York, the District 3 LAA
Chair. Along with Leslie, there
are ―lead‖ committee
members.
In New York, Karen Siegel,
Zonta Club of Greater
Queens, has responsibilities for
all Area 1 Clubs. She may be
reached at
drklsphd@optonline.net or
516-487-9834
In New Jersey, Joyce Wilson
Harley, Zonta Club of Essex
County, has responsibilities for
all Area 2 clubs plus 3 clubs
from Area 3. They are
Atlantic City Area,
Cumberland County and Tri-
County Area. Joyce may be
reached at joyce_dev@hotmail.com or
862-252-9920.
Nancy Baulis, Zonta Club of
Philadelphia has responsibilities
for the Harrisburg-Hershey
Club and the Philadelphia Club.
She may be reached at
nbaulis@verizon.net or 610-
543-2117.
Bobbee Cardillo, Zonta Cub
of Fairfax County has
responsibilities for the
Arlington Area Club, Fairfax
women organizing the sup-
porters.
Chairman Durbin was
obviously in favor of push-
ing this through before the
end of the year, but as
there were apparently no
other senators present, it
seems that the committee
members do not view this
as a priority.
Bobbee and Jan feel that
we should continue to
lobby the Chairman and
members of his committee.
(The above as reported by
Bobbee Cardillo)
On November 18, 2010,
the US Senate Judiciary Sub-
committee on Human
Rights and Law held a hear-
ing on the US ratification of
the Convention on the
Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination against
Women (CEDAW). This
was the first hearing on
CEDAW since 2002 and
the first-ever hearing on the
ratification of the treaty in
front the of the Senate
Committee. The hearing
focused on the importance
of the US remaining a world
leader on human rights is-
sues and ratifying this criti-
cal treaty.
Bobbee Cardillo and Jan
Witt attended the event.
There were about 180 peo-
ple that gathered to sup-
port CEDAW with no obvi-
ous dissenters present.
Some of the organizers in
support of CEDAW re-
ported that the Chairman’s
phones had been ringing
―off the walls: with those
opposed to the treaty, so
everyone was encouraged
to contact his office by
phone as well. The chair-
man is Senator Durbin.
The hearing room only
held about 60 people so
those in the back of the line
ended up in an overflow
room watching the pro-
ceedings on C-Span. Bobbee
and Jan met and gave their
Zonta business cards to a
woman from Afghanistan
who spoke at the hearing,
as well as confirmed
Zonta’s presence to the
Page 3
“Zonta’s major
goal is to
eliminate all
advocacy and
service projects
at the local level
that do not focus
on advancing the
status of
women.”
District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
Zonta Supports US Ratification of CEDAW
Zonta District 3
LAA Committee
What is
CEDAW?
See
Page
Four for
An
Explanation
What is CEDAW and How Can You Help?
District 3 Conference Attendees
Generous, as Always
CEDAW is a landmark international agreement that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and
equality for women around the world. It has been used to reduce sex trafficking and domestic abuse;
provide access to education and vocational training; ensure women’s right to vote; improve maternal
health care; ensure the ability to work and own a business without discrimination; end forced marriage and
child marriage; and ensure inheritance rights.
CEDAW was adopted by the United Nations in 1979 and signed by US President Carter in 1980.
CEDAW has since been ratified by 186 of 193 countries. The United Stares is one of only seven
countries—including Iran, Sudan, Somalia and three small Pacific Island nations-that have not ratified
CEDAW. Ratifying CEDAW would give America greater influence to help women worldwide win basic
human rights—to go to school, to own and inherit property, to take part in public life and to stop domestic violence and trafficking. Women of the world are calling for US ratification as a strong signal that
promoting women’s rights as human rights is a priority.
If you are unable to attend Senate Judiciary hearings but would like to show your support for CEDAW,
you are encouraged to write to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law . You
may contact the majority office at 200-224-2152 and the minority office at 202-224-4280. or write to the
Subcommittee at 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Contributions ranged from $5
to $500. Below is the source
of the contributions by Area.
Area 1—1 club, and 6
individuals from 3 clubs
Area 2—9 individuals from 6
clubs
Area 3—1 club, and 8
individuals from 7 clubs
Area 4 –9 individuals from 5
clubs
International Representative
from District 2
Donna Lane, District 3
Foundation Ambassador sends
this message:
Zonta International was
founded as a way for women
to help other women around
the world. Our Foundation
projects accomplish this goal.
We are encouraged to give
our club funds 2/3 to local projects and 1/3 to
International projects adopted
by delegates at Convention.
The Zontians who attended
the District 3 Conference in
October showed their
commitment to Zonta’s
mission by opening their
wallets and contributing more
than $5000. Thanks for your
generous contributions—you
have Made a Difference by
supporting our ZI Service
Projects, ZISVAW Projects
and our Education, Leadership and Youth Development
Programs.
I was unable to attend the
conference and thank those
who helped in my absence.
Zonta Helps Say NO Campaign Surpass
1 Million Actions
violence in Haiti. For those
of you who wish to make a
contribution to support
these life-changing projects
during the 2010-2012
Biennium, you may do so
online at www.zonta.org.
The website has been
updated and is much more
user friendly.
On 25 November,
coinciding with the
International Day to
Eliminate Violence against
Women, the Say NO-Unite
to End Violence against
Women campaign
announced that it had
surpassed 1 million actions.
Zonta International was
featured in the press
release as a long-term
supporter of the UN Trust
Fund to End Violence
against Women.
The campaign also released
a news article announcing
Zonta’s funding of the burns
violence project in
Cambodia, Nepal and
Uganda, as well as our
support for survivors of
Page 4 District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
“the emotional,
sexual, and
psychological
stereotyping of
females begins when the doctor
says:
It’s a girl.”
Shirley
Chisholm
News from District 3 Treasurer
Cathy Paul
Inside Story Headline
Lt. Governor Paulette Chatman’s
Message
would like to recommend
this requirement be added
to the Treasurer’s list of
duties and responsibilities
for each club.
As always, please feel free
to contact me with any
questions or concerns.
Dear District 3 Treasurers
and Presidents,
Thank you for your timely
filing of your club’s 990 and
990n. 100% of the clubs in
District 3 were in
compliance, which is
commendable. I appreciate
the co-operation of all the
clubs in District 3 and their
willingness to contact me
with any questions or
concerns.
As a reminder, this filing
must be done on an annual
basis. To be sure it is not
missed in the transition
from an outgoing Treasurer
to an incoming Treasurer, I
Women have to help
women.
I have learned about
local women and their
needs as well as
international needs.
Here’s to a brighter 2011.
I’d like to wish you and
your family a happy holiday
season and a healthy,
prosperous and peaceful
new year.
Paulette Chatman
Lt. Governor
District 3
Zonta International
Tis the season of
commemoration and
celebration, but let’s not
forget that this is also the
season of giving back.
Hopefully all of you have
enjoyed the holidays with
your family and friends. I
certainly did, relaxing a little
and enjoying time with
family.
When I think of December,
I think of giving. In most
cases, it’s giving back to
those less fortunate, but it’s
also giving to things that I
believe in. It represents the
last opportunity for a
charitable contribution tax
deducation. I for one know
how difficult this past year
has been, but also realize
how important the mission
of Zonta is. Hopefully
you’ll also take the
opportunity to give back
whether in the form of
time, energy, money, or
simply expressing your
gratitude.
Can you believe it’s been
over two months since our
District 3 Conference? I
had the great honor during
Conference to meet with
37 first-timers. Meeting
with this group of dedicated
Zontians helped me to
rethink what it was that
brought me to join Zonta in
the first place. Below are a
few quotes from our first-
timers. Hopefully it will
bring back similar memories
for you as well, and help to
re-invigorate you during
this season of giving.
Why I joined Zonta…
Giving back
It’s commitment to
women
Helping the status of
women
A lot of fun, great
people
Does a lot of great
community work
Fellowship with service
oriented women
Page 5 District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
District 3 Archive Committee
Request
Club Presidents received
guidelines for ―Preserving
the Past and the Future.‖ If
you club has not write4en
your history, please
consider doing it. Time
goes by very quickly.
You can contact me at
KENL158@yahoo.com or
phone 914-961-4457. For
emails please make the
subject line read Zonta
Information.
Georgia LaBlanc
Chairman, District 3
History/Archive Committee
The Archive Committee is
requesting your club’s
history (those who have
not submitted one), charter
dates and Zonta number
International for new clubs
after 1970 and the date
your club won the
Governor’s Award.
At the recent District 3
Conference, the district
History was on display.
Four clubs provided their
charter dates and Zonta
International number for
new clubs after 1970. My
thanks to the Zonta Clubs
of Harrisburg-Hershey,
Hampton Roads, Ocean
County Area, and
Ringwood. Prince William
County and Charles County
Area wrote their charter
date only.
Tebbie Clift stated her 1999
governor award was
presented to Prince
George’s County. Check
with members at your next
meeting to see if your club
has won a Governor’s
Award. If the answer is yes,
send me the year it was p
resented.
Page 6 District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
Conference 2010
Achievement Awards
Congratulations to all of the following Clubs recognized for their Achievements:
Amelia Earhart Greater Queens
Public Relations New Rochelle
Westchester (2nd place)
LAA Northern Valley
Honorable Mention—Hampton Roads
Honorable Mention—Greater Queens
Status of Women/
Service Charles County Area
Arlington Area
(2nd place)
United Nations Westchester
Lt. Governor’s Award New York
Governor’s Award Westchester
(See Westchester celebrating in picture
on right)
Pictured above, a woman
who had been an outcast
in her village and who had
been abandoned by her
husband. Her fault was
that she had an obstetric
fistula. She is smiling here
because the problem has
been eliminated and she is
looking forward to having
children and leading a bet-
ter life.
Pictured above is Georgia LaBlanc,
District 3 History/Archives Chair
with her District 3 display at the
2010 District 3 Conference.
Convention Foodbank Donations
SO MANY HAPPY, SMILING FACES
IN ATLANTIC CITY—HOPE THEY WERE ALL WINNERS
Looking Forward
To Spring Workshops
in your October District 3
Conference activities.
Sincerely,
Community FoodBank of
New Jersey
Dear District 3 Attendees,
Thank you for your recent
donation to the Community
FoodBank of New Jersey, a
private, non-profit, 501(c)3
tax-exempt organization.
Your donations will be
distributed to qualified
charitable organizations in
New Jersey that feed
people in need.
Your gracious donations
yielded 183 pounds of
assorted foods. We
appreciate you including us
Division Street.
Their website gives directions:
Www.trinitystpaul.org/
drivingdirections.html
Hope to see you there!
Area 1 and 2 members,
Don’t miss the Spring workshop
to be held on April 16, 2011 at
the Trinity St. Paul church in
New Rochelle, NY. The Zonta
Club of New Rochelle will be
hosting this event. So mark your
calendars and save the date.
More details to follow in the
Spring Workshop invitation.
Once again, the venue is:
Trinity St. Paul church
311 Huguenot Street
(Corner of Huguenot & Division)
New Rochelle, NY 10801
There is a parking lot off
Page 7 District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
Area 4 News
From Margo Sheridan, Area 4 Director
Meeting will be Saturday.
February 5. 2011 at the
Fairlington Community Center
in Arlington, VA.
Area 4 Clubs have been
very busy this fall, actively
engaged in fund raising, local
awareness events, and service
projects throughout their
communities. Several clubs
updated their websites to
include current officers,
newsletters, calendars, and
information and photos on
recent events. Clubs are also
identifying chairmen for the
Zonta programs and district
initiatives.
Our next Area 4 Leadership
Annual United Nations Event
“Meet and Greet”
at One Elder Avenue, Bergenfield,
New Jersey 07621.
If you have any questions, call her at 201-387-1536 or email her at
marymac43@verizon.net.
The space is limited so be sure to
get your reservations in early.
This is a great opportunity for
District 3 Zontians to meet our ZI
President.
The Zonta International United Nations Committee in New York
is sponsoring a ―Meet and Greet‖ for ZI President Dianne Curtis. The event will take place on
Saturday, February 26th, from 4 to 6 pm at the Ambassador Grill Lounge at the Millennium UN Plaza
Hotel which is located on East 44th Street across from the United
Nations on First Avenue.
The afternoon event will be a
casual one with hors d’oeuvres and
a cash bar.
This is an opportunity for Zontians to meet our ZI President in a
relaxed atmosphere. Also present will be President Elect Lynn McKenzie and several other
International Board Members as
well as ZI Committee Chairmen.
A flyer with all the particulars will
be going out to all Presidents in District 3 so please be on the
lookout for it. The cost is $35 per
person.
Checks may be made out to Mary
Ann Tarantula and mailed to her
Page 8 District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
“Women must try
to do things, as
men have tried.”
Amelia Earhart
Don’t forget to
celebrate Amelia
Earhart in
January and get
the news out to
your communities
about our Amelia
Earhart
Fellowships.
Go to zonta.org
to get all the
information you
need for a PR
piece for your
local newspaper.
Zonta Pre-Conference Tour of Tech Center
October 1, 2010
Attendees to the Pre-Conference Tour of the Tech Center are pictured above.
Special thanks to Pat Watts & Sharon Perry for organizing and leading the
FAA Technical Center tour!
2011
SAVE THE DATES
Page 9
Have a question
about Zonta?
Your first step is
to contact your
area director. If
she doesn’t have the answer she
will find out from
the Governor. If
the question
stumps everyone,
the Governor will
contact our ZI
Liaison to get the
answer.
District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE FOLLOWING:
2011
February 5 Area 4 Leadership Meeting
Fairlington Community Center, Arlington, VA
February 26 United Nations Event
Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, New York City
Ambassador Grill Lounge, 2 to 4 p.m.
April 9 Area 3 and 4 Spring Workshop
April 16 Area 1 and 2 Spring workshop
Hosted by the Zonta Club of New Rochelle
Trinity ST. Paul Church, 311 Huguenot St.
New Rochelle, NY
September 23-25 District 3 Conference 2011
Hosted by the Zonta Club of Charles County Area
Solomon’s Island, Maryland
Let’s Clarify the News on Dues
At the San Antonio Convention, the delegates voted to increase the Zonta
International dues to $80. All other fees will remain the same. So, when District 3
Treasurers send their dues in to Zonta International, they will send in the following
amounts:
Dues $80.00
Insurance 3.00
Total $ 83.00
The new member fee remains at $15.00. So, if clubs have new members, the $15.00
would be added for that member (s), making the total $98.00.
There was some misinformation sent out earlier and we just wanted to clarify this.
As usual, dues will be expected at Zonta International headquarters by June 1, 2011.
The above figures do not include District 3 dues.
Page 10 District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
Recent Club Mailing
From Zonta International
The club mailing was mailed from Zonta International Headquarters during the first week of December
and it contains some very important information you will not want to miss. I
2010 Governing Documents booklet was included
2010-2012 ZI Directory is now posted on the ZI website . Access it at Member
Resources>Directory
An updated Membership Manual is posted on the ZI website under Member Resources>Manuals
An updated District Manual is posted on the ZI website under Member Resources>Manuals
Audit cover letter from ZI and ZIF Finance Committee Chairmen and the Zonta International
Treasurer
Audited Financial Statements for fiscal year ending 31 May 2010
ZIF Donation Form
News from the United Nations
Committee
The 55th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will
take place beginning Tuesday, February 22nd and continue until Thursday, March 3rd. During
the Session, many NGOs conduct parallel events which have to do with the priority theme of
the Session. This year part of the priority theme has to do with women’s access to education,
particularly in science, engineering and technology. Our Zonta International Amelia Earhart
Chair, Sharon Langenbeck and Vice Chair Holly Anderson will present a parallel event which
will concentrate on our Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program. The event will take place at the
Church Center which is directly across the street from the United Nations on East 44th
Street, New York City. No passes are needed to attend the event so all are welcome. It be-
gins at 10 am on Friday, February 25th and will end at 11:30 am.
Recently two documents were sent out to all the presidents in District 3. The first docu-
ment explains what the CSW is all about and the second is a copy of the statement sent to the
CSW by Zonta International. One of our jobs at the United Nations is to let various entities
know our position (s) on women’s issues. If you did not receive notification about these
documents, please go to www.zonta.org and then go to the UN section to access both docu-
ments.
The members of the Zonta International United Nations Committee in New York, Geneva,
Vienna and Paris are working hard to have Zonta’s voice heard in the United Nations. We are
attempting to be a voice for women everywhere who have none.
Mary Ann Tarantula
ZI UN Chairman
Page 11 District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO EACH OTHER
Remarks by Carol W. Beaver at the District 3 Conference
October 1, 2010
Tonight I’m going to talk about how Zontians make a difference to each other, using me as an example. As you know, we Zontians talk a lot
about our local service projects and our international projects, especially when we are trying to interest someone in joining our Zonta club. But we seldom
talk about how Zontians reach out to each other during difficult and challenging times and how we celebrate together when one of us is successful. Oh, we
might mention networking benefits when you belong to a Zonta club, but then provide few or no examples of how it works. So I want to spend a few min-
utes telling you how strongly I feel that without the help of my Zonta friends my career achievements would not have happened. And I truly believe this.
I had been in the Zonta Club of Washington for about six years and was just completing two years as president. During this time, I had already
made some wonderful Zonta friends whose help in the next few years led to my success. About this time an opportunity was made available at the Army
Map Service (where I worked) for a few selected employees to attend a university of their choice for a one year. On a lark I applied, and much to my utter
amazement, I was selected. And then I got very cold feet. What if I flunked out; maybe I would have forgotten how to study – after all, it had been twenty
years since I got my B.A. – and on and on. I’m a worrywart about some things and worst of all was the knowledge that the U.S. taxpayer would be paying
for this. One just couldn’t fail.
One night during this period of doubting myself, I went to a Zonta inter-city event with three Washington Zontians: Eddie Kay Vest, a former
governor of District 3; Winkie Owens, secretary when I was governor and later an Area 4 director; and Lenora Hunter, owner of Logan Ford Motor Com-
pany and for our club the hostess with the mostest. During our conversation while riding in the car, I mentioned my opportunity to attend George Washing-
ton University for a year of advanced courses towards a master’s degree and about my cold feet. Those three Zonta friends assured me that I could do this
and that I must not give up this opportunity and that they would help me in any way that they could, including entertaining Larry, my husband, when I had
to study.
And so I started at GWU in the Fall. It was hard, but after two or three weeks I remembered how to study and really began to retain what I read.
My favorite class that first semester was Public Administration 101. The professor assigned each of us to write a paper that would cover how the
three branches of the federal government and a public special interest group could work together to accomplish a goal. I thought of the Indian Claims Com-
mission and Peg Pierce, a member of our club and a Commissioner on that Commission. In our conversations she had told me a lot about the Commission
and how it was created. I asked Peg if the Commission’s establishment would be a good example for my paper. She was sure it would be and, furthermore,
she could loan me a book from the Commission library that would provide me with most of the history. I got an A in the class and the professor told me I
earned it because of my outstanding paper. Peg Pierce read it and put a copy in the Commission library. She said it was in plain English rather than legalese.
Everything was going well; I got a promotion to a staff position at the Army Map Service, which was to be held open for me until I finished
school. By the end of the first summer session I had completed thirty hours and had a 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0. I needed only six more
credit hours of class work to get my M.A. So I decided to take two three-hour classes in the second summer session.
Big, big mistake! There wasn’t too much available in the session, so I discussed it with my faculty advisor and he agreed with me that a class on
microeconomic theory and one on macroeconomic theory would be a good idea.
By the end of the first week of those classes, I knew it wasn’t a good idea. My math background was just too weak. And when the instructor told
us we could use a slide rule during the midterm, my heart sank. I hardly knew what a slide rule was.
So who came to my rescue? A Washington Zontian, Dr. Ruth Osborn, Dean of Continuing Education for Women at GWU. On a Sunday at the
end of the second week of classes, we Washington Zontians were having a brunch on the Dandy cruise ship. Ruth came up to me and said, ―Carol, what’s
wrong? You look so sad.‖ So I told her my problem. She said, ―There has to be a good solution. Call me this afternoon and I will have a plan.‖
And Ruth did have a plan. First, I was to call my Personnel Office and tell them what was happening. She thought they would be sympathetic
because of my good record so far and would tell me to drop the two classes and come back to work. She was right. The second part of the plan was for me to
talk with my advisor and tell him I would probably flunk both classes because of my poor math background and that she (Ruth) thought that with his inter-
vention, even though it was too late to officially drop a class, the economics instructor might be willing to let me do so.
Ruth’s plan was a success. Two days later I was back at work in my new staff position. I took a class at night for two semesters and received my
Page 12 District 3 Governor’s Newsletter
M.A. in May 1974 with a 3.75 grade point average. This just never would have happened without the help of my Zonta friends.
My staff job at the Army Map Service was very satisfying and I expected to stay in it until I retired. However, in late 1977 I got a phone call tell-
ing me that the Director of Aeronautical Charting and Cartography in NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – what a mouthful!) in
the Department of Commerce was trying to fill a branch chief position. He was looking for a woman cartographer with broad experience and a master’s
degree. The caller wanted to know if I was interested. I was.
The phone call telling me that I had been selected for the position arrived at 7:00 a.m. in Denver, Colorado. It was the same day that I officially
became governor of District 3 in July 1978, My Zonta friends helped me celebrate. What a night!
Three years later I got another promotion to be Chief of Staff for Aeronautical Charting. Then I thought, ―Now, this is really my final position.‖
But no, a few years later the current director was moved to a newly created position and so the director’s position was now vacant. What to do? I
was planning to retire in a year. I thought long and hard and Larry said it was up to me. A day or so later, I got a phone call from a former Washington Zon-
tian, Barbara Bond, who had worked in Washington for three years and then returned home to England to be the Deputy Director of the British Hydro-
graphic Office. I told Barbara about my dilemma about the director’s position. She said to me, ―Carol, you have to apply; otherwise, you will never know if
you would have been selected or not or if you really could do the job.‖ I knew she was right. And the next day I applied for the position.
I was selected.
It was for the most part a wonderful, rewarding position. I got to do a lot of travelling to places like Bejing, China, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
and even Anchorage, Alaska. Fortunately for me, with just a few exceptions the Aeronautical Charting employees were outstanding. They had a mission and
they were dedicated to it. The American public could not fly without what they did and still do. I did, however, have on real problem employee and he was
vice-president of one of our two unions. Fortunately, he was caught doing something quite harmful for the agency and we were able to get rid of him. Before
this happened, however, Mary Ellen and Wing Bittner listed to me rant and rave about this guy. Now and then they offered me some very good advice based
on their experiences with the Labor Relations Board. Again, help from a Zontian.
I know I succeeded in this, my final position in the federal government. During my time in that position, about three years, I received two out-
standing awards with substantial cash bonuses. And even better, I still get invitations to holiday luncheons and retirement parties and phone calls asking for
advice. Not so many of those now. After all, it’s been almost fifteen years since I retired.
Because I really believe that encouragement and actions by Zontians had a great deal to do with what I think was a successful career, I have tried
to reciprocate by working to accomplish Zonta’s mission and by trying to help Zontians if I could Zonta has been my primary activity for many years and it
will continue to be so.
Let me close by saying that building true and lasting Zonta friendships requires time. Time to talk and listen to each other. Time to work with
Zonta friends to meet Zonta goals. And time to have fun together. One on one conversations, in person and by phone, are essential to building these lasting
friendships.
I wish for all of you many, many long-lasting Zonta friendships.
Thank you.
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