FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andrea Pieper
PR Chair - Zonta Club of Northern Valley, NJ
201/947-1233 phone
201/947-0118 fax
andrea.allsaints@verizon.net

ZONTA CELEBRATES 55 YEARS OF SERVICE

On October 3, 2006 The Zonta Club of Northern Valley, NJ celebrated 55 years of service and has a rich and rewarding history. Originally known as the Tri-Bergen County Zonta Clubs, consisting of Teaneck-Bergenfield, Englewood-Tenafly and Hackensack-Ridgewood the three clubs were charted on October 3, 1951.

Bea James, of Bergenfield (who was instrumental in getting the Bergenfield Library built) has been a member for over 50 years. Charter members of the Teaneck-Bergenfield club included executive women in all areas of business. Our first slate of officers were: President, Helen B. Hill, Vice Principal, Teaneck High School; First VP, Louise Farrant, Farrant Barnes Insurance Agency, Teaneck; Secretary, Evelyn L. Aims, Sun Bulletin Society Editor, Teaneck; Recording Secretary, Bernice J. Murray, Associate Member, Bankers Ad Service, Bergenfield; Treasurer, Anna L. Stewart, Real estate agent, Teaneck; Assistant Treasurer, Janet Volk, A.J. Volk Funeral Directing Co., Teaneck.

Originally members had to either work or live in Teaneck or Bergenfield. Over time, this restriction was dropped. In 2004, their name was changed to The Zonta Club of Northern Valley, NJ to acknowledge that members now work and reside in many different towns in NJ.

The club follows the mission of Zonta International - to “advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy”. To that end they have dedicated themselves to raising money for and donating service hours to local area organizations. To date, the club has donated over $200,000 raised by their two major fundraising events each year, the R.A.V.E. (Rape and Violence Eradication) Walk is held every spring and proceeds are divided between The Bergen County Rape Crisis Center and Shelter Our Sisters and the annual October Dinner/Fashion Show. All recipients share the club’s mission. Past recipients have included The Center for Food Action, The Nurturing Place, Institute for Education Achievement, Vantage Health System, Women’s Rights Information Center. Additionally, Northern Valley awards high school scholarships to Teaneck, Bergenfield, and Northern Valley seniors as well as scholarships to single female parents returning to college.

Please visit us at www.zontanvnj.org.