Who We Are
District 15, which is comprised of 34 clubs located in Michigan, USA and Ontario, Canada, is a charter district, part of all of the history of Zonta. We are one of the original three districts, and were the first interstate and international district.
Our mission is best seen through the service and advocacy efforts of our clubs and members impacting the lives of women and girls in communities across the globe. Zonta International is a global community of more than 28,000 women and men in nearly 1,200 Zonta clubs in 61 countries.
LEADERSHIP
Governor’s Message
Greetings and welcome to the website for District 15 of Zonta International.
I am delighted to serve as Governor of District 15 for the 2020-2022 biennium. It is a special and unique time in Zonta history and the world we live in. I join hands with more than 750 members who make up the 35 clubs of District 15, and I am excited to further the legacy of service that has provided a positive impact in our local communities since 1919.
It is truly a challenging and exciting time, but we will empower ourselves and those around us while supporting and promoting the vision of our International President, Susan Lagenbeck. As we undertake this special journey, I am especially looking forward to working collectively with each club. Under the District theme, “Back to the Future” we will enjoy and work toward meaningful membership, meaningful service projects and meaningful advocacy efforts.
As Zontians our actions demonstrate that we believe we must “be the change we want to see in the world.” Accordingly, we will continue in the direction set forth by the founding members to address issues such as human and civil rights, social and educational disparities, as well as health, political and financial inequities. We are committed to addressing issues that impact all women and girls, both locally and globally.
Please feel free to visit Zonta.org for additional information regarding Zonta International and Zonta International Foundation, our international leadership, our international programs and herstory.
Thank you for your interest in District 15 of Zonta International.
In Zonta Service,
DeAnna Cambridge
District 15 Governor 2020-2022
Zonta International
District 15 Board
Area Directors
2020-2022 Biennium Appointees & Committee Chairs/Coordinators
Foundation Ambasador
Marilyn Valeri Colton
Pontiac North Oakland
d15zifoundation@zonta15.org
Membership
Lani Ochs
Charlevoix
d15membership@zonta15.org
Service Committee
Jennifer Watkins, Flint
Pam Washington, Troy South Oakland
d15servicechair@zonta15.org
District Historian
Karen Armaly
Detroit I
d15historian@zonta15.org
Bylaws & Resolutions
Cherie Johnson, Roscommon
Lisa Hulbert, Midland
d15bylaws@zonta15.org
Public Relations
Kathy Bardins
Petoskey Area
d15prchair@zonta15.org
United Nations
Katie Burgess, Detroit 1
DeAndra Larkin, Flint
d15un@zonta15.org
Nominating Committee
Celina Shoji, Chatam Kent
Joy Smith, Lenawee
Pat Barber, Detroit 1
d15nominatingchair@zonta15.org
Advocacy & Legislative Awareness
Denise Sylvester
Roscommon
Hilary Henley
Chatham-Kent
d15laa@zonta15.org
Finance Committee
Jennifer Yontz
Big Rapids
d15finance@zonta15.org
Webmaster
Cindy Vickery
Midland
webmaster@zonta15.org
Z & Golden Z Club Coord.
Diedra Boles & Linda Logan
Michigan Capitol Area
d15zclubs@zonta15.org
Centennial Anniversary Coordinator
Karen Armaly
Detroit I
d15centennial@zonta15.org
Photographer
Grace Chang
Troy – South Oakland
d15photographer@zonta15.org
Jackie McCarroll
Pontiac North Oakland
d15leadership@zonta15.org
Young Women in Public Affairs Coordinator
Connie Currier, East Lansing
Andrea Hamlar, Southfield
d15ywpa@zonta15.org
Amelia Earhart Coord.
Liliane Haddad
Lenawee County
d15ameliacoord@zonta15.org
Jane M. Klausman Coord.
Bonnie McArthur, Pontiac N. Oakland
Jennny Pelisek, Chatam-Kent
d15jmkcoord@zonta15.org
Women In Technology Scholarship
Patty Johnson
Ludington
d15WTSC@zonta15.org
HISTORY OF DISTRICT 15
District 15 is a charter district, part of the history of all Zonta. We are one of the original three, and the only interstate district at the outset. Our initial club was Detroit, whose delegates help to write the by-laws of Zonta. Our district was named the Western District in the first phase, and included the charter clubs of Buffalo and Rochester, NY, Erie, PA and Detroit, Michigan, as well as Lockport, NY. In 1922, Seattle, WA was added and by 1923, the district had 18 clubs, including new clubs in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Toledo and Cleveland, thus becoming the largest district.
In 1926, we became District D with 26 clubs in Michigan, Ohio, Kansas City, Missouri and Indianapolis, IN. Lower Canada was added to our district. In 1929 we became District II with two regions – A. with clubs in Michigan and Ohio and B. with clubs in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. In 1930, Windsor, Ontario was added to Region A and Zonta became international. WE remained the first district to reach beyond the North American continent, with the addition of Sydney, Australia.
In 1947, we became District V at the 26th annual conference held in Mackinac Island. With the redistricting approved, District V was to include Michigan, Ohio, Canada to the north and that part of Kentucky to the south. District V included 18 clubs, 13 of which were from Michigan/Ontario.
With continued growth and redistricting, District V became District 15 in 1962.
District 15 continued to grow to its current size of 35 clubs. Our members have held leadership positions on the International Board and Committees, and we look forward to the next century of service.