State Domestic Violence Coalitions Help where you need it. State coalitions are organizations that support those affected by domestic violence, advocate for effective policies, and collaborate with local service providers. They provide training, resources, and guidance to local programs, ensuring survivors have access to the support and services they need. Through public awareness campaigns and policy advocacy, state coalitions strive to prevent domestic violence and promote safe communities across the nation. DV Coalitions in Zonta District 1 – ready to partner with Zonta  Connecticut  CTCADV.org Maine   MCEDV,org Massachusetts  JaneDoe.org New Hampshire  www.nbhcadsv.org Rhode Island   RICADV.org Vermont    VTNetwork.org Nova Scotia  thans.ca/

Wouldn’t it be one of the best feelings in your lifetime to know that you helped to get the United States 28th Equal Rights Amendment to become law! Not only will this personal feeling of accomplishment be gratifying but it will also “build a better world for women and girls” of the future. What a legacy!! So how can you help achieve this goal? Get your sister Zontian members, friends, family members, and coworkers to sign the Sign4ERA.org petition! Post a link on your social media accounts and ask individuals to “share it”. The goal is to get at least 1 million signatures by November. You can share the QR code (above) and the link www.sign4era.org to the petition.   This petition will bring attention to the future Congress who must immediately recognize the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution which you can read the description of on the petition page. The Zonta […]

District 1 Zonta Biennium Reflection and Goal Planning A guide for District 1 Zonta Clubs in assessing service accomplishments, identifying advocacy priorities, and setting actionable goals for the upcoming biennium. Reflect on Service Successes: What service projects made the greatest impact? Which projects sparked pride and engagement? Connect Service to Advocacy For each favorite service project, ask: Why is this service needed? Identify systemic issues that perpetuate the need for service. Brainstorm what policy or funding changes could eliminate the need for that service. Identify Advocacy Priorities (Core Zonta Focus Areas and Club-Specific Issues) Zonta Says No: Domestic violence prevention Zonta Says Now: Climate justice Ending child marriage: Continue vigilance and support globally What advocacy issues are unique to your community? Use club meetings to brainstorm and vote on priorities. Use Zonta Resources Advocacy Video: Show ZI’s advocacy video: https://youtu.be/nHNSFPXOBpY Read aloud ZI’s January statement on U.S. withdrawal from multilateral […]

Legal gaps and enduring harm: Analysing the persistence of child marriage in the United States A new report, Legal Gaps and Enduring Harm: Analysing the Persistence of Child Marriage in the United States, produced by Unchained At Last in partnership with Equality Now, exposes how state and federal loopholes continue to enable child marriage, and what must change to finally end it. The full report is eye-opening and worth the read: https://equalitynow.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Legal-gaps-and-enduring-harm-Analysing-the-persistence-of-child-marriage-in-the-United-States-English.pdf. While all of the states in Zonta District 1 have voted to ban child marriage, there is still advocacy work to do here on TWO fronts.  (1) Fighting for the ERA, which would solve this problem, and (2) Supporting girls transitioning out of this nightmare. The ERA and Child Marriage  The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is an amendment to the United States Constitution that guarantees equality under the law, regardless of sex or gender. Originally introduced in 1923 […]

In this AUGUST 2025 issue: Learn how you can participate in the Equal Rights Amendment – Disrupt Now Campaign; Equal Pay – Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders – August 28th; Learn about what States we hope to take the forefront in ending Child Marriage in 2026; Zonta Says No – ZI will have a Share Your Stories program on August 26th; Legislative actions you can take; Learn about Tennessee’s Safe Bar Program, then check to see if your community has one; Learn how Missouri Zontian’s are working to help the rights of pregnant women; And more! As a reminder, check out Zonta International’s Statement on remaining steadfast in its mission to build a better world for women and girls, commitment to the sustainable development goals, and remaining steadfast with our partnerships and commitment for our UN international service projects. There are 3 (2025) statements to share with your Districts, Clubs, and Members. https://www.zonta.org/Web/Web/News_Events/Zonta_International_Statements.aspx?hkey=34051c4c-679c-4251-8178-fe80033fad4d

As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, governments have adopted by consensus a powerful Political Declaration to respect, protect, and champion the rights, equality, and empowerment of women and girls. Here is the 8-page political declaration on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women