News & Events

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The Zonta Club of Fort Myers is pleased to welcome McKayla Meier, a 2025 Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellow, as our upcoming membership meeting guest speaker.

McKayla is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Florida whose research focuses on volcanic processes on the Moon—work that supports NASA’s Artemis missions to the Lunar South Pole. Her research helps scientists better understand planetary materials and prepare for the next phase of human space exploration.

Beyond her work in planetary science, McKayla is deeply committed to expanding access to STEM education. She actively engages in K–12 outreach, mentors students navigating academic and graduate pathways, and advocates for more inclusive and welcoming spaces within science and research. Her work reflects the belief that careers in STEM should feel attainable and accessible to all students.

As an Amelia Earhart Fellow, McKayla represents the next generation of women advancing scientific discovery while also lifting others along the way. Her visit offers an opportunity to learn more about lunar science, research careers, and the importance of mentorship and inclusion in STEM fields.

We invite members, guests, educators, and students to join us for this engaging conversation and to learn more about the impact of women in science—locally and globally.  

Space is limited, Please RSVP to zontafortmyers@gmail.com so we can ensure there is plenty of room for everyone. 

Meeting Details:
Date: Thursday, January 15
Time: 5:30 Social Hour | 6:00 Her Talk

Cost: No Cost | $20 Optional Meal
Location: DoubleTree Inn @ Bell Tower

The Zonta Clubs of Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva were honored to receive a Lee County proclamation recognizing the Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women campaign and the global 16 Days of Activism.

During the presentation, we shared how both clubs put this mission into action locally—through grants, partnerships, and volunteer service supporting organizations such as ACT, Partners in Breast Cancer Care, After the Rain, the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center, FGCU programs for women, and many others helping women and families in Southwest Florida.

We also reflected on the global unity behind this work. At the recent Zonta International Convention in Brisbane, Australia, the city lit its major landmarks orange in support of ending violence against women—an inspiring reminder of how connected our efforts truly are.

We thank the Lee County Commissioners for shining a public light on this issue and for recognizing the local impact of our Zonta clubs. Together, we continue working toward a community where every woman can live in safety and dignity.

Visit the County Commission Website to View the Proclamation Being Presented

https://www.leegov.com/bocc/meetings

Members of the Zonta Club of Fort Myers recently attended the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation Scholarship Luncheon, joining fellow Zontians from 

the Naples Club to celebrate women pursuing higher education in Southwest Florida.

At the event, we recognized the 2025–2026 recipients of the Zonta Club of Fort Myers Area Scholarship Endowed Fund, which supports women balancing academic goals, financial need, and family responsibilities. This year’s scholars, Jessica Deeble and Maribel Torres, are exceptional students committed to serving their communities and advancing their careers.

In addition to the luncheon, our club met with Glandina Morris Lyga, Director of the Women’s Advancement Initiative at the University of Hartford, to explore potential collaborations that extend educational access and leadership development opportunities beyond our region. Visit their website to learn more: https://www.hartford.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/womens-advancement/

Education remains one of Zonta Fort Myers’ key focus areas, and these connections—both locally and nationally—help strengthen our impact and expand opportunities for women and girls.

The Zonta Club of Fort Myers recently spent a Saturday morning at After the Rain, helping refresh the garden at their residential recovery home. This incredible organization supports women overcoming trauma, addiction, and homelessness — and we are honored to lend our hands and hearts to their mission.

With fresh soil, new plants, and a lot of teamwork, we helped create a space that brings comfort, nourishment, and pride to the women who live and heal there. A garden may seem simple, but it represents so much: growth, resilience, and the beauty that comes from second chances.

Thank you, After the Rain, for welcoming us into your community — we look forward to watching this partnership continue to bloom

Coral Gables, FL — October 17–19, 2025. 

Zonta Club of Fort Myers joined sister clubs from across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and The Bahamas for the District 11 Conference—a weekend focused on leadership, advocacy, and building a better world for women and girls.

• Our club president, Sharon Jaske, was officially installed as Vice Area 6 Director. 
• Collectively we surpassed the 10,000 T-Shirt Challenge for Rethreaded,      with our club contributing to the drive supporting survivors of human trafficking. 
• Amy Agramonte, Owner & Creative Director of Pink Sky Agency, led an energizing session on personal branding and showing up with purpose. 
• Kristin Keen, Rethreaded founder, accepted the district’s t-shirt donations and shared how vocational pathways change lives. 
• We deepened connections with clubs from across the district (including Puerto Rico and The Bahamas), swapped ideas, and brought home      tools to grow impact locally. 

What we learned will fuel Fort Myers initiatives in the months ahead—strengthening our service, grants, advocacy, and membership engagement. 

What’s Next 

Be part of the momentum. We meet on the third Thursday each month at the DoubleTree Inn at Bell Tower (Social 5:30 PM • Program 6:00 PM • Optional meal $20). Guests welcome!

Participate in our Candy for a Cause!

Purchase something from our See's Candy Fundraiser

Members of the Zonta Club of Fort Myers were proud to participate in the annual Pink Walk hosted by our community partner and grant recipient, Partners for Breast Cancer Care.

The event brings our community together to support local women in need of lifesaving breast health services — including screenings, diagnostics, and treatment. By walking alongside survivors, supporters, and caregivers, we reinforce our shared commitment to women’s health and well-being in Southwest Florida.

We look forward to continuing our support and partnership throughout the year as we build a better world for women and girls.

 If you or someone you know may need assistance with breast cancer screening or care, we encourage you to contact Partners for Breast Cancer Care (link below) — compassionate support and resources are available. 

https://pfbcc.org

The Zonta Club of Fort Myers is proud to announce the recipients of our 2025 community grants—made possible by the success of our signature Run for the Roses fundraiser. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and attendees, we were able to invest in four outstanding local organizations working to empower, educate, and uplift women and girls in Southwest Florida.

After the Rain

After the Rain offers safe, structured housing and support services for women in recovery from addiction. Zonta’s grant supports their ongoing operations, helping women rebuild their lives with dignity, structure, and community. https://aftertherainofswfl.org/

Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL

Zonta’s funding helps deliver essential education to young girls on personal safety, healthy boundaries, and how to recognize and report abuse. This curriculum empowers girls to advocate for themselves and builds a foundation for a safer, more confident generation. . https://www.cac-swfl.org/

Partners in Breast Cancer Care

With Zonta’s support, Partners in Breast Cancer Care will provide 46 life-saving 3D screening and diagnostic mammograms—free of charge—to underserved women in Lee County. Early detection saves lives, and these screenings are a lifeline for women without access to healthcare. https://mybreastcancersupport.org/

Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center

Our grant funds a support group for Deaf women, conducted entirely in American Sign Language. This unique space empowers participants to connect, share, and grow—many for the first time in their lives—in a safe, language-accessible environment. https://dhhc.life/

Every step taken, every dollar raised at the Run for the Roses has fueled real change. Thank you for running with us—for hope, for health, for healing, and for the future of women and girls in our community.

Our signature Run for the Roses event was more than just a fun-filled Derby Day—it was a celebration of purpose and generosity. 

Thanks to the incredible support of our guests, sponsors, and volunteers, we raised vital funds to support a portion of our 2025 local grant applicants, develop a new local scholarship opportunity, and contribute to Zonta International’s efforts to provide global educational scholarships for women and girls.

Your participation helps us build a better world for women and girls—locally and globally. We’re already planning for next year’s event, and we can’t wait to make it even bigger and better.

Thank you for being part of the movement!

At our recent membership meeting, President Sharon donned her Derby Day fascinator and warmly welcomed Mathew Parkinson of the Children's Network of Southwest Florida. 

Mathew shared details about their impactful Mentor Program, which supports local moms (and Dads) by connecting them with caring role models.

As part of Zonta’s mission to empower women and girls, we’re excited to explore a potential long-term affiliation with the Children’s Network. We see great value in aligning with their Mentor Program—particularly as a way for Zontians to serve directly in the community, helping young women and girls thrive through encouragement, guidance, and positive support.

Our club is always looking for meaningful ways to expand our outreach and partnerships. We’re hopeful this connection will grow into a strong collaboration that fosters lasting change  in Southwest Florida.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue developing this exciting partnership!

 Interested in the Family Mentor Program?
🌐 Visit: childrensnetworkflorida.org/cns/volunteer/mentoring 

From monthly programs and community outreach to global inspiration, we’ve made bold strides toward building a better world for women and girls. Let’s rewind the highlights…

We celebrated the 2024 Zonta International Convention in beautiful Brisbane, Australia! Delegates from around the world came together to share stories, strategies, and a common mission. It reminded us that while we work locally, we are part of something truly global.

Back home, we launched our two-year Strategic Plan, focusing on three key priorities: empowering women through leadership opportunities, expanding access to education, and creating safer, more supportive communities. 

We’re growing stronger with every step—boosting visibility, expanding membership, and forging impactful partnerships 

Our Social Dinner Series brought together members and friends in fun, relaxed settings to connect over conversation—and let’s be honest, some fantastic food too.

And of course, we honored our commitment to community by awarding grants to some incredibly worthy organizations—groups like After the Rain, Our Mother’s Home, THRIVE,  and FGCU’s GEMS program. These grants aren’t just donations; they’re investments in a better future.

But we’re not slowing down.

As the roses bloom this spring, so does our excitement for Zonta’s signature event—Run for the Roses.  We're in final stages of our Derby-themed bash. Expect big hats, bold hearts, and a beautiful cause. It’s more than a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of purpose, power, and community.

So saddle up, Zonta friends. The best is yet to come.

 The Zonta Club of Fort Myers was honored to attend the Human Pink Ribbon Event, hosted by our affiliate partner, Partners in Breast Cancer Care. We connected with so many incredible women, sharing stories of strength, resilience, and the journey to becoming strong women.

We proudly raised our pink umbrellas in solidarity with those fighting, those thriving, and those we hold in our hearts. Our beach bundle basket giveaway was a fun way to engage, but the real win was the powerful conversations and shared commitment to supporting women's health.

Together, we stand, we support, and we advocate.

Do you need a mammogram?

Are you uninsured and low-income?

Call 239-454-8583 or email pfbcc2004@yahoo.com
or visit - https://pfbcc.org/

To see if you qualify for our help.

Fort Myers, FL – August 15, 2024 – We were energized to get a special shout-out from WINK Meteorologist Greg Rule during his 11:00 weather report! Greg entertained us at our recent membership meeting, where he broke down global forecasting in a way that felt like we were chatting right in our living rooms. We’re so grateful for his time and the effort he put into making the event such a hit.

This experience was fitting with Zonta International's mission to champion gender-equal climate action, recognizing the vital role women play in tackling climate challenges. We're proud to support Zonta’s dedication to ensuring women are leading the way in climate action and staying informed and ready for climate emergencies. If you want to learn more about Zonta’s work in this area, check out the Zonta International website by clicking the Zonta Says NOW button below. 

It’s moments like these that strengthen our community bonds and remind us how important it is to come together to learn and grow. We can’t wait to welcome Greg back next year1