Advocating for women
You may have noticed the new Zonta Club of Hilo banners around town, which were hung to commemorate Women’s History Month in March and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in April.
One banner reads, “Women’s Rights Are Human Rights.” Another reads, “Empowering Women Through Service and Advocacy,” which is the motto of Zonta International.
On April 27, Zonta sponsors Denim Day, in conjunction with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Wearing jeans on Denim Day is part of the international campaign against sexual violence. Zonta Club of Hilo asks businesses, organizations, and individuals to wear jeans on April 27 in support of sexual assault survivors and to raise awareness about sexual assault misconceptions.
The first Denim Day was in 1999 and was inspired by the women of the Italian Parliament who wore jeans to work the day after an Italian High Court overturned the rape conviction of a 45-year-old man who sexually assaulted his 18-year-old driving student. The court based its decision on the victim wearing tight jeans and “certainly it is impossible to pull them off if the victim is fighting her attacker with all her force,” determining that if she helped the perpetrator remove her jeans, she must have consented.
The Zonta Club of Hilo envisions our island community as a place where every woman is able to achieve her full potential. Our club was formed in 1950, and two of our members have served over 50 years.
We are part of Zonta International, founded in 1919, with Amelia Earhart as one of its most famous members. We are proud to be part of Zonta’s efforts to promote the health and welfare of women and girls across the globe.
Locally, our club supports programs such as “Amelia Earhart Girls in Engineering Day” to encourage girls grades 4-8 to continue STEM curriculum; “Magnificent Me” middle school conference to introduce adolescent girls to confidence-building strategies and tools; “Hands Are Not For Hitting, Hands Are for Helping” nonviolent education and book project for preschoolers; and multiple scholarships and awards for women in business, nursing, public affairs, excellence and entrepreneurship.
For more info, please visit our website at zontahilo.org. We welcome interested persons to learn more about our club and consider joining to help advocate for and serve the needs of women and children.
Julie Engelhardt
President, Zonta Club of Hilo
Audit needed
An irresponsible teenager will come home with a tattoo instead of the school clothes for which his parents gave him money. Our county wastewater department does the same thing.
Instead of buying replacement parts, they squander their budget on unnecessary blueprints for impossible sewer projects.
The mayor’s new bond float will enable this poor practice to continue. The wastewater department needs an audit — not more money.
Jerry Warren
Naalehu