Zonta District 9 Conference held October 2-4, 2015 in San Jose California – With Hawaii Representative

The Zonta Club of Kauai, Zonta Club of Hilo and Zonta Club of Lelehua (Oahu) attended the Zonta District 9 Conference from October 2-4, 2015 at the Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose, California.

Four (4) Zonta Club of Kauai members attended along with other District members from Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, California and Arizona

What made this special is that Mele Spencer from the Zonta Club of Hilo is the new District Governor. So we have a Hawaii representative.

“Building a Sustainable Zonta” was Nickie Bonner, the current Governor’s theme of the conference.

Mele Spencer, Zonta Club of Hilo is the Governor Elect for 2016 – 2018.

Approximately 86 attendees from the states of Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and California attended.

Distinguished guest: Nadia Biancato – Zonta International Director from Italy.

Speakers & topics: Nancy Kirshner-Rodriguez, Exec. Director, California Commission on the Status of Women & Girls and President, San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women. Kirshner-Rodriguez champions initiatives to reduce domestic violence and human trafficking.

Nancy O’Malley, District Attorney, Alameda County founded H.E.A.T. (Human Exploitation and Trafficking) Unit and led the statewide charge in response to human trafficking. H.E.A.T Watch vigorously prosecutes traffickers (those selling children for sex), targeting purchasers and changing perceptions about those trafficked.

Eesha Choudhari, 2013 Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs winner gave an impressive presented on the story of her journey into activism. A freshman at Stanford University,  Choudhari, plans to join the Peace Corps and advocating for women’s education rights in the Middle East.

Length of Membership Recognition awarded to Zonta Club of Kauai members:

Betty Bell (48)

Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano (43)

Mary Thronas (41)

Mabel Fujiuchi (33)

Marge Akana (29)

Amelia Earhart Fellow Awards:

Nicole Duncan, University of California Berkeley

Julie Mitchell, Arizona State University

Colleen Rosania, Stanford University

Information about the Zonta Club of Kauai’s November 5th General Membership meeting or Zonta International and opportunities to join this global organization, Email: zontakauai@gmail.com, visit www.zonta-kauai.org & on Facebook.

District 9 Conference Hawaii clubs were represented (in random order):

Zonta Club of Kauai:

Carla Kaser, Present (not pictured)

Darrellyn Lemke, Immediate Past President

Edie Ignacio Neumiller, Past President

Kristine Vallandingham, Board Secretary

Zonta Club of Lelehua (Oahu):

Linda Weiland, incoming Area 1 Director

Karen Foisotte, Past Governor

Zonta Club of Hilo:

Mele Spencer, Governor Elect (w/lei)

Barbara Hastings, Area 1 Director

Tonya Ozone, President

Julie Tulang, Past Governor

Italy’s Zonta International Director

Nadia Biancato, (center)