Who we are:
Chartered in 1929, The Zonta Club of Albany is the local affiliate of the worldwide organization of Zonta International. We are executives, businesswomen and professionals who are leaders and decision makers and who want to have an impact on advancing the status of women and children locally and worldwide.

Each month members meet socially to conduct the business of the organization, to support the goals of Zonta International and to develop and implement local projects that benefit Capital District women and children. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month with the exception of July and August. Meetings are hosted at local restaurants and country clubs in the Albany area and feature a speaker on topics of critical interest.

Opportunities to interact with District and International members of Zonta occur on a regular basis through District Workshops, Seminars, Conferences and International Conventions.

The Zonta Club of Albany welcomes new members who share our commitment. For membership information, please e-mail Albany@ZontaDistrict2.org.

Our Major Projects:
Through volunteerism and fundraising activities, Albany Zontians have benefited many international and local not-for-profit organizations that serve the homeless, victims of domestic violence, and/or those recovering from substance abuse; that provide legal assistance and health care; and that foster self-esteem and independence for women and girls. These organizations include: Zonta International projects in Third World nations, and Equinox, Next Step, Schuyler Homeless Project, Albany Girls’ Club, The Legal Project, CASA, The Literacy Project, Koinonia Primary Care Clinic, Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer (CRAAB), Capital City Rescue Mission’s New Faith Family Center and the Albany Memorial Hospital Chapel - all located in the Capital District. The Zonta Club of Albany also provides scholarships to exemplary students in high school and college who reside in the Capital District and who are entering the business, legal or nursing professions or who have distinguished themselves through community service. In the last 9 years, Albany Zontians distributed over $9,880 to International Projects, $80,488 to Community Service Awards and local charitable organizations and $51,382 in scholarship awards.


Albany Zontian of the Year Margaret Welch exemplifies the ideals of Zonta, having devoted over 30 years to the Albany club's mission of community service. An outstanding Zontian since 1979, Margaret served as President in 1982-83, has held every club office and continues to chair numerous committees to advance the status of women. She is a retired Senior Vice President of Albank, a division of Citizen's Bank. Margaret has been cited by our club, her community, the County of Albany and the State of New York for her volunteer contributions. Margaret currently serves on the Capital City Rescue Mission's New Faith Family Center Board of Directors and the Board of the Fundamental Baptist Mission to India in Trivandrum, India. She is a devoted member of the Calgary Baptist Church. As Albany County Executive, Michael G. Breslin stated in a County Proclamation, "...for more than 30 years she has been extraordinarily dedicated to Zonta International and to her community and has touched many lives through her service. Margaret truly leads by example, and her passion for helping others serves as an inspiration to all who meet her..."

Field of Dreams Award
We were so proud to be honored by The Legal Project at the 14th Annual Pro Bono Reception held at the New York State Museum, October 22, 2009, where our club received The Field of Dreams Award. This award is presented to an individual or organization whose inspiration and efforts resulted in the development of a new or expanded Legal Project program to meet the needs of lower income or other underserved people.

The Zonta Club of Albany became involved with The Legal Project in 2007, when Zontian Sandra Rivera suggested that we present the Zelda Uthe Scholarship Award to The Legal Project (instead of directly to a law student) to provide a law student a paid summer internship. The result has been a productive internship with The Legal Project that not only assisted deserving law students in gaining professional experience, but had direct impact on women who were in need of pro bono legal assistance.

It was a thrilling experience to be recognized by The Legal Project for our efforts and we are so proud to accept The Field of Dreams Award.

2010 Coming Attractions:

September 8 - Membership Dinner, Normanside Country Club

September 11 - Zonta Booth at South Colonie Village-wide garage sale

September 26 - Next Step Brunch

October 6 - Board Meeting, Jane Bonavita's Office

October 13 - Membership Dinner, Normanside Country Club

October 23 - Zonta District 2 Fall Seminar hosted by Zonta Club of Syracuse, TBA

For more information regarding events, please click the Upcoming Events and Officer Information link at the top of this page.

Please take a moment to view our in-house fundraising items offered for sale in our Zonta Z-Shop. Click on the image to view additional information and ordering details.