Assembly Resolution No. 382

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Zonta
Club of Utica on August 8, 2019

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of the Zonta Club of Utica to be celebrated at an
event on Thursday, August 8, 2019, at Fountain Elms in Utica, New York;
and

WHEREAS, In 1919, the Zonta Club of Utica was established with
Harriet Ackroyd serving as its first President; she was one of 12
pioneering women who came together in Buffalo, New York, with a goal to
help all women realize greater equality while using their individual and
collective expertise in service to their community; and

WHEREAS, Their vision became Zonta International, an organization
which has grown to more than 29,000 members in 63 countries, working
together to make gender equality a reality for women and girls
worldwide; and

WHEREAS, For a century, the Zonta Utica Club has strived to serve
its community by enhancing the status of women on an individual and
organization level; through the years, the Club has collected items for
Hall House, books for the Literacy Volunteers of America Book Sale, and
business clothing for women returning to work through the Women's
Employment Resource Center; and provided school supplies to Utica public
schools for children of women unable to provide them, and meals to young
girls residing at New Horizons; and

WHEREAS, The Zonta Club of Utica has also painted a room at the
Swancott Retirement Home for Women, purchased a passenger van for the
Retired Senior Volunteer program, and refurbished the Chapel at Faxton
Hospital; for many years, these compassionate women sewed hats for women
who lost their hair during therapy; and

WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Faxton Hospital's
Regional Cancer Center has been a major on-going project; through Zonta
Club of Utica's support, the waiting room has been furnished, and women
without other resources have received assistance to obtain prostheses
and other needed services; and

WHEREAS, In addition to all of these wonderful projects, the Zonta
Club of Utica awards scholarships to area women in financial need who
are returning to school to improve their economic condition, and
presents awards to high school students who excel in leadership,
scholarship and community service; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, the Club sponsored three Z-Clubs, high
school level clubs whose members visited nursing homes and performed
various community projects; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Zonta Club of Utica sponsored and
organized a Human Trafficking Seminar to increase awareness and educate
public and service agencies of intervention resources; funded
educational programs for Aids Community Resources and Insight House
Chemical Dependency Services Inc.; and provided household items and
housekeeping necessities to Willow Commons, a transitional housing
program for families, and for Evelyn's House, a residence for homeless
young women; and

WHEREAS, Most recently, the Club has collected and donated a variety
of items for Utica's burgeoning refugee population, and the local female
veterans group; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Zonta Club of Utica is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Zonta Club of Utica on August
8, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Zonta Club of Utica.