Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award
Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award (formerly the Young Women in Public Affairs Award) recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life. See the Awards Application for further information regarding eligibility, application requirements, contact information, and application process.
AWARD DESCRIPTION
Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award (formerly the Young Women in Public Affairs Award) recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
Since 1990, Zonta has given 1,165 awards, totaling US$1,858,750 to 993 young women from 60 countries.
The program operates at the Zonta club, district and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international awards of US$5,000. Each district may submit one applicant for consideration for an international scholarship. The five largest districts may submit a second applicant for a total of two applicants.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE
The application process must start with a Zonta club. All application materials must be received at a Zonta club by the deadline printed on the application. If you downloaded the application from the Zonta International website, you must contact a Zonta club for deadline information. If the Zonta club contact information is not printed on the application, please locate the Zonta club nearest you by using the Club Locator, or email your name and contact information to Zonta International Headquarters at programs@zonta.org.
Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located will be considered and are eligible to apply for the international scholarships via a Zonta district.
ELIGIBILITY
Women, aged 16-19 on 1st April each year, living in a Zonta district or who are citizens of a Zonta country, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.
- Active commitment to volunteerism.
- Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).
- Volunteer leadership achievements.
- Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.
- Support in Zonta International's mission of building a better world for women and girls.
Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international awards. Previous district and international Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipients are not eligible to apply for the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award.
Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women are not eligible to apply for the Awards. Committee or jury members or any member involved in the selection process should follow the Zonta International Conflict of Interest Policy in the selection of awardees.
Z club and Golden Z club members are also eligible to apply. Previous district and international recipients are not eligible to apply to renew the Award for a second year.
DEADLINE
The 2026 Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award application is now open.
Applications must be completed and returned to the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley by February 24, 2026. After the club recipient is selected, the application is presented to the governor/regional representative. Then the district/region recipient is selected, and the application is presented to Zonta International Headquarters by May 2026. Club recipients will be announced May 2026. The Zonta International 2026 recipients will be announced by July 2026.
FUNDING
Young Women in Leadership Awards are made possible by generous contributions to the Zonta Foundation for Women Young Women in Leadership Award Fund from Zontians, Zonta clubs and friends of Zonta International. Our local YWLA awards are made possible by generous contributions to the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley Foundation. You can make a difference in the lives of young women by donating today!
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please email Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award
2026 application period is now closed
Help Women and Girls Today
Meet the 2026 Award Winners
Diya Boini
Diya is a junior at Academy of the Canyons Middle College High School at COC. She has her heart set on becoming a health professional, specializing in family medicine, pediatrics, or surgery. She plans to study biomedicine and use her education and practice to support struggling children, women, and men in communities of need in developing countries.
Diya is involved in Z-Club, a younger branch of Zonta Club and she wants to continue her involvement in the future with Zonta International and other worldwide organizations. She is a natural leader and founder of the Future Health & Science Professionals club and VP of Science Olympiad Team, and takes a leadership role in ASB. She represents her school at the Hart District Advisory Board, meeting with the superintendent, board members, and other student leaders. Toastmasters Club co-president, volunteer at SCV Food Pantry and Henry Mayo Hospital, Blood Cancer United fundraiser, Red Cross blood ambassador.
Brianna Bonfiglio
Brianna is currently a senior at Golden Valley High School. She plans to major in international business at the University of South Carolina through their “Responsible International 
Leadership” Cohort. This will allow her to do a summer of volunteer service, earning a “leadership distinction in community service” with her diploma. After that, Brianna aspires to get an MBA or JD degree in foreign policy or corporate law on a global stage.
She has already held many leadership positions at school, including sophomore class president, Outreach Committee captain, Clubs & Organizations Liaison and ASB vice president. She also volunteers as an intern for California Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo. Brianna has volunteered for over 500 hours locally, at Henry Mayo Hospital and Assisteens and other city-led events. One of her teachers wrote that Brianna “...shines most brightly when she is working with a team. She is “the one.”
Gianna Marie Montesclaros
Gianna is a Senior at Valencia High School, who wants to study communications and business, with an eye to a marketing career in the future. Her volunteer accomplishments include being a member of both the Newhall and Valencia Libraries’ Teen Advisory Boards. Gianna serves as the Editor-in-chief of both Valencia High School’s newspaper and yearbook. She is the president of the VHS Science Olympiad. In both capacities, Gianna organizes and manages the members by assigning them to different stories and projects. She coordinates and facilitates both very smoothly according to her teachers’ letters of recommendation. She also participated in Youth in Government and Teen Court in Santa Clarita, volunteering many hours of work.
In addition, Gianna is also a team member at Menchie’s in Valencia.
We are so proud of all our recipients!