Highlights from 2021-2022
Wine Tasting with Zonta
On April 20, 2022, the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley hosted a lovely Wine Tasting and Food Pairing event at Wine 661, a local woman owned business in Valencia. It was an intimate affair that offered a great opportunity for attendees to mix, mingle, and simply reconnect. Wine 661 provided three wines for tasting, a Chardonnay, a Rose, and a Cabernet Sauvignon; and large charcuterie boards for sampling various cheeses and meats and how they pair with each wine. A portion of the ticket price went to the club's Foundation, as well as revenue from a small Opportunity Drawing. It was a delight to see so many club members and their guests in person. A wonderful time was had by all.
Zonta 2021 Holiday Gathering
On December 12, 2021, members from the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley gathered with friends, family, and special guests at the Holiday Social. We were honored to have ZI President Dr. Sharon Langenbeck (and Zonta SCV Member) and District 9 Governor Brittany Vaughan join us for an afternoon of fellowship and holiday cheer! Members near and far supplied sips, savories, and sweets for the festivities. We would like to extend a special thank you to Terry Kanowsky for hosting our social at her lovely home. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success!
Zonta Receives Proclamation from City
Thirty-five percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence—an international campaign that aims to inspire action and end violence against women and girls around the world—the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley along with members of the local community, displayed the SCV Red Dress Project last month on Saturday October 16th during Child & Family Center’s Purple Palooza Walk.
We have several dates for the SCV Red Dress Project this fall at the Saugus Swap Meet. We will continue to display them next spring throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Check our website for the full schedule. Please visit www.SCVZonta.org/advocacy.
On November 23,2021 we received a proclamation for the 16 Days of Activism. Mayor Bill Miranda read a moving speech to everyone in attendance about violence against women and how the city of Santa Clarita doesn’t support violence against women.
In December of 2018, Bill Miranda graciously spoke at our monthly business meeting about gender equality and what it meant to him. He has been a longtime supporter of our club. We would like to thank him and everyone from the City of Santa Clarita for supporting the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley.
Zonta Says NO to violence against women.
At the local level, Zonta clubs across the world have organized activities and events as part of the 2021 Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, which focuses on the service and advocacy actions of Zonta clubs and districts to prevent and end violence against women and girls in their local communities.
“As the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, instances of gender-based violence are on the rise. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we work together to end violence against women and girls,” said Zonta International President Sharon Langenbeck and a member of the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley. “Through the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, Zonta clubs around the world are uniting to raise their voices to bring awareness to this issue and advocate on behalf of gender-based violence survivors.”
Each year during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which runs from 25 November – 10 December, Zonta International encourages its clubs to participate in advocacy efforts that focus on prevention, protection and prosecution.
Founded in 1974, Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley is a dynamic organization of professional women working together to advance the status of women and girls in the Santa Clarita Valley and around the world.
Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women began in November 2012. To learn more and join the campaign, please visit www.zontasaysno.com. Zonta International’s ongoing efforts to end violence against women and girls at the international level are carried out through the Zonta International Strategies to end Violence Against Women (ZISVAW) program and through Zonta’s partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies. Since the program’s inception in 1999, more than US$9.5 million has been provided to support projects to prevent and end violence against women and girls in 46 countries.
Zonta Receives $7,500 Donation from ITT Aerospace
On Monday afternoon, August 23, 2021, ITT Aerospace presented Zonta SCV President, Nicole Miller, and Zonta SCV Foundation President, Lois Bauccio, with a generous and unsolicited contribution of $7,500!
ITT Aerospace, located on Industry Drive in Valencia near the Castaic Junction, is an international company with a heritage of innovation. As a response to the current need of our country to reach herd immunity against the Covid-19 virus, the company provided an incentive to its employees: when 75% of employees became vaccinated, one lucky employee’s name would be randomly selected for a $10,000 prize, and one community nonprofit organization would be selected to receive a symbolic donation of $7,500.
With that challenge, the Human Resources Department set about to find a nonprofit that would directly address the company’s most recent initiatives. After discovering both Zonta International and the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, Gabby Rodriguez and her team were excited to find the organization that matched the company’s initiatives for improving the lives of women. ITT Aerospace is concerned with issues of violence against women and girls including domestic violence, child marriage, sex trafficking, inequities in education and employment for girls and women, and more. In other words, the perfect fit for Zonta.
ITT Aerospace Site Manager, Davide Varze and General Manager, Steve Kim, proudly thanked their employees for enthusiastically participating in the successful competition and presented the “big check” to Nicole and Lois, as more than two dozen employees joined in the festivities. Colorful balloons and delicious Lady Di’s cookies and cupcakes rounded out the celebration.
Zonta SCV is deeply grateful for the opportunities made possible by the generous contribution which will support programs, scholarships, and grants for many deserving women.
Zonta Club of SCV announces sponsorship of Women’s Lounge at Bridge to Home
Lt to Rt: Lois Bauccio, President SCV Zonta Foundation; Nicole Miller, President SCV Zonta Club; Mike Foley, Executive Director Bridge to Home
The Zonta Club of SCV Foundation announces sponsorship of a new Women’s Lounge to be featured in Bridge to Home’s new shelter for women experiencing homelessness which is now in development.
Zonta’s mission is to empower women and girls through service and advocacy. Zonta is an international organization that works to improve lives of women all over the world. Since 1974, Zonta SCV has been assisting women and girls locally with issues of domestic violence, sex trafficking, education/coaching, female health problems, and much more. Through community support, the club has helped vulnerable women become empowered to achieve independence.
While volunteering at Bridge to Home, Zonta members have seen that the fastest growing demographic of individuals experiencing homelessness is women, often single mothers with children in tow. Zonta now joins with Bridge to Home to provide a quiet place for these women to find respite, learning and fellowship with other women as they work to rebuild their lives.
Bridge to Home’s new facility will be a hub of purposeful activity with a technology center supporting online education, employment research and housing searches; meeting spaces for job training, support groups, and community gatherings; offices for on-site case management; and rooms for health services. Also on the site will be the community’s first family shelter in eight apartment-like units, so helpful to single mother-led families. Every aspect of the new site will address the barriers that lead people into homelessness. The new facility’s plumbing, kitchen and laundry facilities will give vulnerable women of all ages a chance to rebuild their self-esteem and help them develop the strength necessary to establish themselves in a new home. Since many of these women are coming out of domestic violence situations and experiencing severe economic problems as a result, the project has perfect synergy with Zonta’s mission.
Zonta’s contribution of $25,000 will change the lives of countless women. During the pandemic, Zonta’s ability to raise funds has been severely diminished, but thanks to careful financial planning and generous community support over decades, this gift is possible. The need is urgent.
Mike Foley, Executive Director of Bridge to Home, said, “We are grateful to the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley for this generous expression of their faith in the work Bridge to Home is doing on behalf of vulnerable women in our valley who are experiencing homelessness. Their gift will inspire other local organizations who believe in the importance of service to our neighbors in need.”
President of the Zonta club, Nicole Miller said, “On behalf of Foundation President, Lois Bauccio, and our members, we are thrilled to make a positive impact through the creation of a safe space for women and girls to become stronger, more confident and empowered to achieve their full potential.”
Nicole Miller Installed as President 2021-2022
The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita recently held their annual installation of officers and board. Zonta International President, Sharon Langenbeck, installed the new officers, board, and Foundation Trustees. Also in attendance was Dianne Curtis, Past President Zonta International 
and Marsha McLean, City of Santa Clarita Councilperson and member of the Zonta Club. Beth Heiserman was presented certificates from the State of Calif, County of Los Angeles and City of Santa Clarita recognizing her hard work and dedication to the club and Zonta International. Immediate past president, Barb Meyer, was the host of this virtual event. Barb said she enjoyed being the presenter of this traditional event with this fun theme. It allows us to have a bit of fun every year.
The incoming officers for 2021-2022 are, President Nicole Miller; Vice President, Beth Heiserman; Secretary, Colleen Marrese-Reading; and Treasurer, Fran Fiel. Also installed were board members Alicia Estrada, Terry Kanowsky and Mary Ree. Foundation Trustees include Terry Kanowsky, Barbara Cochran, Lois Bauccio, Alicia Estrada, Patrice Rifkind, Cherise Moore, Danise Davis, Nicole Miller and Beth Heiserman.
Every year, the past presidents get together to create this event. They choose a theme that is befitting of the upcoming president. Nicole had mentioned during one of our virtual socials, that she had just made Rice Krispy Treats and that she liked them. Nicole has a very special dairy-free recipe that she uses to make this classic and delicious snack.
This year’s theme was “Snap, Crackle and Pop!" During the virtual installation, the past presidents wore Snap’s chef’s toque, the incoming board wore Pop’s drum major's shako, our vice president wore Crackle’s tomte's tuque or "sleeping cap" and Nicole Miller wore a Pow’s conductor’s hat, so she may lead us during this next year. Pow was the power and force behind the energy of eating Kellogg’s Rice Krispies. She will be keeping us composed and leading us with many great projects, fundraising, and advocating Zonta’s mission.
Every president has had a theme throughout her year and Nicole’s theme is Empowerment Begins from Within. Zonta empowers women and girls through service and advocacy. Nicole believes that in order to empower women and girls through our work, we first need to empower ourselves. Empowerment is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.
Every year, since 1993, we honor one member for the extraordinary service to our organization during this event. Edna Dimataga-Fernandez was this years’ recipient. She has been a long time member, recently serving has the chair of our PR/Marketing committee. She has done an amazing job with promoting our club and all the terrific things our club does every month.