Springfield

Our Club Story

The Zonta Club of Springfield was chartered November 4, 1939. We have had very diverse members, and one Springfield Zontian, Cornelia Hodges, was elected President of Zonta International (1982-1984). We have been an active organization in our community for many years. We are nonpartisan and nonsectarian, finding we have much in common to work together to make the world a better place for women and girls, and, thus, for all persons. We feel strongly that, even as a small club in Illinois, we can effect positive changes in our community and in the world. We are honored to be part of Zonta International, and we treasure our Zonta members. We are committed to the rights of women and girls to safety, education, equality, and representation. We abhor violence against women and girls, human trafficking, and child marriage, and we support efforts to help women who have been victims.

Our Activities

We participate in Zonta International’s Sixteen Days of Activism (Nov. 25–Dec. 10) to spotlight ongoing work for women and girls. At the Illinois State Capitol, we lobby for women’s and victims’ rights as bills arise. Our service projects include providing dinners at shelters and a home for the visually impaired (about 60 years), making blankets for local charities, and supporting academic achievement with the Golden Laurels recognition (over 50 years). We award multiple local  scholarships through St. John’s College of Nursing, Lincoln Land Community College, the University of Illinois Springfield, and also fund Young Women in Leadership, Women in Business, and Women in STEM scholarships, alongside District and Zonta International awards. One third of our revenue supports Zonta International advocacy, service, education, and scholarships like the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, while additional funds go to local charities aligned with our mission. We also partner with like minded organizations, committed to advancing the status of women and girls and we have a lot of fun doing it!

News & Events

• On May 2, 2026, the Zonta Club of Springfield hosted the Zonta Area 3 Spring Workshop at the Illini Country Club in Springfield with guest speaker John J. Kim, former director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency who presented on environmental sustainability issues in Illinois.
• In May, the club installed new officers for the 2026-2027 club year.
• The Club Past President and Area 3 Director along with current Club President were able to attend the 2026 Zonta International Convention in Vancouver, Canada in July.

Service & Advocacy

• No-sew blanket-making session, creating a total of a dozen cozy blankets to be donated to two local organizations: the Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery and the Matthew Project.
• In July, the club members assembled 60 personal hygiene bags for the Helping Hands Shelter (30 for women and 30 for men). These bags contain shampoo, soap, razor, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. The 25 bags for women also included ten sanitary pads.
• On July 19th, the Springfield club hosted an Ice Cream Social at the Mary Bryant Home for the Blind. The club had hosted a dinner event for 60 years and transitioned to the Ice Cream Social three years ago. The Mary Bryant Home celebrated its 80th anniversary in June.
• We do Contact Ministries Dinners twice a year.
• Fundraising efforts have often included bake sales for seasonal holidays, which have been entertaining and creative.