From left is District 15 Lt. Gov. Gail Johnson, newly elected President Alex Eisenberger, District 15 Gov. Cherie Johnson and former President Luci Contois. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE–A local women’s organization, Zonta, held its annual dinner installing its new board and inducting new members.

Zonta International, through the United Nations, provides financial assistance to women in need through scholarships and community grants along with the rest of its advocacy work.

Regionally, Marquette’s Zonta district focuses on raising awareness about domestic violence, human trafficking and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement. For the last two years, its biggest goal has been the elimination of child marriage in Michigan–a recently realized goal.

“We’re very proud of the breadth of our giving in terms of our time, our talents, our money,” said Ex-Officio Lucille Contois. “We’re very proud of that.”

At the ceremony, new members took the Zonta pledge and swore an oath.

Its new board is composed of President Alexandra Eisenberger, Vice President Joan Nystrom, Assistant Treasurer Karen Thompson, Treasurer Holly Michelin, Recording Secretary Darcie Forslund, Corresponding Secretary Helen Amiri as well as directors Molly Roussin and Kelly Jandron.

“Our new president, Alex, I think is going to be a wonderful president and I’m excited for her this year,” Contois stated.

Zonta International District 15 Gov. Cherie Johnson and Lt. Gov. Gail Johnson attended the Marquette area Zonta Club dinner. This marked a growth of 59% in membership for the regional chapter as it inducted three new recruits.

“You really have something special here; It’s palpable,” Cherie Johnson said.

As a women’s organization, Zonta prides itself on understanding the needs of its members.

“We need to understand that women have to recalibrate almost daily, especially if they have a young family and are working and what they might have committed to all of a sudden they can’t do and that’s fine,” Contois said. “Just let one of us know…our motto at Zonta is ‘We have your back.’ No judgement.”

Any interested parties should contact zontamarquette@gmail.com or on its website: zontamqt.org.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.