Education is Vital

 An African proverb says, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation”. Education is one of the ways Zonta is addressing gender equality and serving to empower women both on a local and international basis. Furthering a women’s access to education provides women with choice and with choice comes opportunity. Gender equality has also been integrated into the United Nations Sustainable Goals for the 2030 platform. Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. Implementing new legal frameworks regarding female equality in the workplace and the eradication of harmful practices targeted at women is crucial to ending the gender-based discrimination prevalent in many countries around the world. Through the education of women and young girls, the impact of inequality, discrimination and economic sustainability can be addressed.

Throughout the year, educational scholarships are offered through the Zonta Cheektowaga-Lancaster Foundation or through Zonta International. These scholarships include:

 

Amelia Earhart Fellowship

 The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is awarded at the Zonta International level only. Zonta International established this scholarship in 1938, in honor of Amelia Earhart, famed pilot and member of the Zonta Club of New York. Women Fellowships are awarded annually to a woman pursuing a Ph.D./doctoral degree who demonstrate a superior academic record conducting research applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences are eligible. Students must be registered in a full-time Ph.D./doctoral program and have completed at least one year of that program or have received a master’s degree in an aerospace-applied field at the time the application is submitted. Zonta International will award scholarships to a maximum of 30 students at $10,000 each. The applications deadline is November 15 of each year. Additional information pertaining to this scholarship may be found at; https://foundation.zonta.org/Our-Programs/Educational-Programs/Amelia-Earhart-Fellowship Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.

  

Jane Klausman

This scholarship sponsored at both the local, district and international level was established in 1997, is designed to encourage undergraduate women of any age, pursuing a business program with major field of specialization in accounting, finance, business management, human resources management, international business, or entrepreneurship at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible. Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute. The Jane Klausman scholarship is offered once a year and applications are to be submitted to the Zonta Cheektowaga-Lancaster Foundation by June 1. If chosen at the local level, the applicant advances to the next round to compete at the District 4 level and is eligible to compete for a $2,000 scholarship and is submitted to the International level. Zonta International awards four scholarships for $8,000 each. More information can be found at; https://foundation.zonta.org/Our-Programs/Educational-Programs/Jane-M-Klausman-Women-in-Business-Scholarship Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.  

 

Young Women in Public Affairs

 The Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship is designed to encourage young women, age 16-19, studying at a secondary school, college or university in a Zonta District/region or who are studying elsewhere but are citizens of a Zonta country, who are pursuing careers and seek leadership positions in public policy, government and volunteer organizations and is offered at the local, district and International level. YWPA is offered once a year with applications submitted to Zonta Club of Cheektowaga Lancaster by March 1. If a candidate is chosen at the Club level, she will receive a scholarship award of $550. The candidate’s application is forwarded onto the District and the candidate where she may be eligible to receive a $1,500 scholarship. Any candidates who are chosen at the District level will be submitted to the International level and are eligible for a $4,000 scholarship. Ten scholarships are awarded at the International level. More information on this scholarship can be found at: https://foundation.zonta.org/Our-Programs/Educational-Programs/Young-Women-in-Public-Affairs-Award  Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.

 

Females in Trades (FIT)

Female in Trades is a local scholarship offered to a female who is pursuing a trade in which women are historically underrepresented. This scholarship is offered annually, and applications are due by March 31. Eligible applicants must be a resident of the Cheektowaga, Lancaster or Depew area. Successful applicants will receive a $500 scholarship. One or more scholarships may be awarded annually. Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.

 

Women in Transition (WIT)

 Women who are pursuing their career goals by increasing her skills and workforce opportunities through continuing education are eligible for the Women in Transition scholarship. Applicants must be 25 years of age and are returning to school in preparation for future workforce opportunities. Eligible applicants must be a resident of the Cheektowaga, Lancaster or Depew area. This scholarship is offered annually, and applications are due by March 31. Successful applicants will receive a $1,000 scholarship. One or more scholarships may be awarded annually. Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period. 

 

High School Senior Girls Educational Scholarship for Commitment to Volunteerism & Community Service

 This scholarship will be awarded to a young woman who has demonstrated that she understands the value and has a personal commitment to community service and doing her part to make our world a better place. In addition, she has communicated a vision of how she might contribute to the betterment of women in our society. The student must have an average of 80 or better (GPA). This scholarship is based on the student’s ideals and demonstration of commitment that is aligned to the Zonta mission. This scholarship is offered annually, and applications are due by March 31. Successful applicants will receive a $1,000 scholarship. One or more scholarships may be awarded annually. Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.   

Click to download application

   

2020 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

 Zonta Cheektowaga-Lancaster Announces Scholarships and Grants to High School Students and Local Organizations.

Zonta Cheektowaga-Lancaster Foundation, continues in its mission to empower women through service and advocacy. In keeping its commitment to women and girls, Zonta recently awarded educational scholarships to four local high school students.   Grants were also provided to two local non-profits who are working to combat domestic violence.

 Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 were awarded to three young women for their involvement in community service which align with Zonta’s mission.  Kimberly Pham, Cheektowaga Central H.S., Genevieve Fontana, Lancaster H.S.  and Vanessa Uhteg, Lancaster H.S. were the awardees.  The Young Women in Public Affairs scholarship which is sponsored by Zonta International was awarded to Sarah Rolling, Depew H.S.  Ms. Rolling was the recipient of this award at both the local and district level and will go on to compete at the International level.

 Zonta is a strong supporter of the elimination of violence toward women.  Zonta awarded grants in the amount of $1,000 to two local non-profit organizations.  The Family Justice Center which  provides free services for domestic violence victims and their families and the International Institute, Domestic Violence Services Program which assists immigrants and refugees who are experiencing any type of domestic violence were this year’s recipients.

      Kimberly Pham, Cheektowaga Central High School

     Genevieve Fontana, Lancaster High School

   Vanessa Uhteg, Lancaster High School

  Sarah Rolling, Depew High School

2019 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Abigail Helenbrook, Lancaster High School Senior

2018 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

 Lancaster High School Seniors:   Alyssa H. Deacon and Brynn Johnson

 Woman Returning To Education:   Jeanine Ann Haak

 

2017 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

 Melanie Hornung 

 Sarah Winkle

2016 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

 Catherine Rogers

 Kayla Stuber

Woman Returning To Education:   Jeannine Ann Haak

YWPA:   Sara Williams