History

The formation of the Zonta Club of Kankakee was first discussed at an organizational tea at the Yesteryear restaurant on February 25, 1956 under the guidance of Miss Lucille Coleman, Immediate Past Governor of District 6, Miss Helen Eidman, International Chairman of Organization and Extension and Mrs. Janice Alleman, President of the Zonta Club of LaSalle.  With the appropriate parliamentary procedures and actions by Miss Ruby Heller, Miss Marie Carson and Mrs. Fannie Still, the formalization ensued including the election of charter officers: Miss Mildred Menard, President; Mrs. Doris Piersol, Vice President; Miss Ruth Cole, Corresponding Secretary; Miss Elizabeth Cantlin, Treasurer; Mrs. Doris Pratt, Recording Secretary.  The elected directors were Miss Heller, Mrs. Harriet Allison, Mrs. Cecil Meents and Miss Mignonne Fortier.  Forty-two women became charter members on May 3, 1956, the date of our charter.

Through the years, the Zonta Club of Kankakee has participated in many service projects.  In the early days, scholarships were given to qualifying graduating high school girls and on January 9, 1962 the Wayfarers was formed.  Wayfarers was a means to assist women who were rejoining society after institutionalization and, because of the change in mental health administration, evolved into a monthly gathering for residents of area nursing home facilities.  This service project was over 30 years old when it was discontinued.

Learn more about our governing body, Zonta International, here:  https://www.zonta.org/

Zonta Club of Kankakee Mission Statement

“To improve the status of women in our community and internationally through service that addresses legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional issues.”