News

Our Club President, Nadine Salley, was the guest speaker at the January 22, 2025 Zonta Lieutenant Governor’s Membership Committee Meeting. Nadine was asked to address the attendees about processes and procedures required to start a new club. She provided the rationale for establishing a club in an Over 55 Community. As the founder of our club, chartered in the Fall of 2023, she was able to provide practical advice regarding recruitment of members, managing meetings, logistics of filing for not-for-profit status, effective ways of coordinating with the District and International leaders, and much more.

Guest Speaker,  Kierra Wilk, Amelia Earhart Fellow At our January 14, 2025 meeting, we were fortunate to have Rhode Island native Kierra Wilk join us. Kierra Wilk was awarded one of the coveted 2024 Zonta Amelia Earhart fellowships.  She is a Ph.D. candidate at Brown University studying planetary science.  In addition to studying the moon, she has published work on Mars and is interested in the geologic mapping of planetary bodies such as Europa. Ms. Wilk is actively involved with two upcoming NASA missions, Lunar Trailblazer and Europa Clipper. After completing her Ph.D., Ms. Wilk will join the Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Laboratory at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as a research scientist. Beyond her research, Ms. Wilk is passionate about science education and outreach. She is involved in outreach programs aimed at encouraging young students, in particular young women and people of color, to pursue a career in STEM. Additionally, she is president of a graduate student organization Graduate Students of Color in STEM (GSOCnSTEM) at Brown University, which aims to build community for graduate students of color, increase interactions between faculty and graduate students and increase representation in STEM.

Members of the Zonta Club volunteered to wrap gifts at our local mall on Saturday, December 14th. In just a few hours, we collected $240 in donations toward our charitable funds. While working hard to earn money and expand awareness of Zonta’s mission, a good time was had by all.

Our Zonta Club of South County Rhode Island raised over $1,200 for our charitable fund by selling gorgeous poinsettias. Members sold more than 95 plants, distributed on December 4th to recipients who raved about their high quality and beauty.

On December 10, 2024, our Zontians enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant. The evening began with a brief business update, followed by enjoyable food and conversations. This popular event is likely to become an annual celebration of our club’s accomplishments and the friendships that Zonta has fostered.

At our October 2024 meeting, the Zonta Club of South County Rhode Island celebrated our first anniversary. In addition, we welcomed new members, as well as new officers and committee members. We were fortunate to have special guest Verna Fresca, liaison to District 1, who serves as Treasurer of the Northampton MA area club. Her club will be celebrating 90 years in March 2025. Verna presided over the installation of board members and the induction of five new members.

On September 1, 2023, Zonta International issued a charter for Club No. 2041 to the Zonta Club of South County Rhode Island, signed by International President Ute Scholz.  On December 12, 2023, the members of the newly formed Zonta Club of South County RI held their official chartering ceremony at LeBlanc Place, South Shore Village in South Kingstown, RI.  This was an historic moment for the Club, the District, and ZI, as this was the first ever Zonta Club to be established in the state of RI.  In attendance for the ceremony were District Governor Donna Sroka, and District Secretary Mary Knight from the Sponsoring Club, the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley.  Also in attendance via Zoom were ZI Vice President Fernanda Gallo-Freschi, ZI Membership Chair Theresa Harris, and District Lt. Governor Donna Raycraft.  Mary Knight inducted the new members of the Club and Donna Sroka installed the officers and  members of the Board.  Nadine Salley past District Governor and President of the new Club addressed everyone there. A reception followed with spouses and family members in attendance.  Articles about the ceremony and creation of the club were published in local newspapers. In January a first service project was done...

On May 4th, Green Line Apothecary in downtown Wakefield will be donating 20% of its fountain sales to Zonta Club of South County. Please be sure to visit between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., and spread the word to friends and family. Soda Fountain What’s old is new again. Full-service pharmacies and vintage soda fountains – serving Rhode Island with free delivery, 7 days a week. Curated goods available to ship nationwide. greenlineapothecary.com

The South County RI club was pleased to accept a candidate for the 2024 Young Women in Public Affairs Award. Mae Delfina Lial of Rhode Island will be attending Barnard College in the fall. According to Joan Graham, Scholarship & Education Committee Chair for the club, “Should Ms. Lial be chosen as the best candidate for Zonta District 1, she will be eligible for a $5000 Scholarship.” Wishing her the best of luck. Click here to learn more about Zonta Education awards.