Zonta of Central Oklahoma holds Status of Women Banquet

The Zonta Club of Central Oklahoma, USA, recently held its 2024 Status of Women Banquet in Oklahoma City. More than 80 attendees celebrated the achievements of women in their local community.

The club recognized Anne Bogie, the executive director of Oklahoma Project Women (OPW), as its 2024 Woman of Achievement Awardee for her outstanding efforts. OPW provides free breast health care through Oklahoma for those who cannot afford it. Anne shared her own story as a two-time breast cancer survivor.

The keynote speaker was Vicki Behenna, the first female district attorney of Oklahoma County. She spoke about the importance of women working together to improve women's lives, how impressed she was in learning about Zonta during the evening and the club's amazing impact on the local community. She shared the actions being taken in the county to help prevent violence against women.

During the evening, our club donated more than US$17,000 in service funds to these seven local organizations that are working to build a better world for women and girls: Oklahoma Project Woman support breast health care.

• YWCA Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program.
• Cardinal Point Family Justice Center helps victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
• Neighborhood Services Organization provides housing for homeless women.
• Precious Pearls aid literacy programs for girls.
• Period OKC provides free period products.
• Dragonfly Home provides aid to survivors of human trafficking.

Each organization talked to us about the wonderful work they are doing in the community and Zonta's support's impact on their ability to continue that important work. This remarkable evening saw the largest number of attendees the club has ever had for a Status of Women Banquet, thus allowing them to get the Zonta name more into the public eye and raise awareness of Zonta's mission.