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Zonta International / Zonta District 4

Young Women in Leadership Award

(formerly the Young Women in Public Affairs Award)

Zonta International believes young women are the key to women’s advancement in the field of public service. Zonta International’s YWIL Award recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.

Since 1990, Zonta has given 1,128 awards, totaling US$1,673,750 to 956 young women from 61 countries.

Niagara Falls has submitted a nominee every year for the YWIL scholarship program, and the first year we participated (1993), our nominee, 17-year-old Judith Parker, was the District AND International recipient. In 2019, Amal Qayum became our second recipient who went on to receive both the District and International awards. 

ELIGIBILITY

Women, aged 16-19 on 1st April each year, living in a Zonta district or who are citizens of a Zonta country, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.

  • Active commitment to volunteerism.
  • Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).
  • Volunteer leadership achievements.
  • Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.
  • Support in Zonta International’s mission of building a better world for women and girls.

Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international awards. Previous district and international Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipients are not eligible to apply for the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award.

Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors, descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to apply for the Awards.

Z and Golden Z club members are also eligible to apply.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process must start with a Zonta club. All application materials must be received at a Zonta club by the deadline printed on the application.

DEADLINE

Applications must be completed and emailed to Zonta clubs according to the club’s assigned deadline. The 2025 deadline for the Zonta Club of Niagara Falls is March 1, 2025.

FUNDING

Young Women in Leadership Awards are made possible by generous contributions to the Zonta Foundation for Women Young Women in Leadership Award Fund from Zontians, Zonta clubs and friends of Zonta International.

 

Download the 2025 YWIL Application