Where Passion Meets Purpose
Founded on service and sustained by sisterhood, our club brings together dedicated women to create lasting change in our community and beyond.
Club History
The formation of the Zonta Club of Kankakee was first discussed at an organizational tea at the Yesteryear restaurant on February 25, 1956 under the guidance of Miss Lucille Coleman, Immediate Past Governor of District 6, Miss Helen Eidman, International Chairman of Organization and Extension and Mrs. Janice Alleman, President of the Zonta Club of LaSalle. With the appropriate parliamentary procedures and actions by Miss Ruby Heller, Miss Marie Carson and Mrs. Fannie Still, the formalization ensued including the election of charter officers: Miss Mildred Menard, President; Mrs. Doris Piersol, Vice President; Miss Ruth Cole, Corresponding Secretary; Miss Elizabeth Cantlin, Treasurer; Mrs. Doris Pratt, Recording Secretary. The elected directors were Miss Heller, Mrs. Harriet Allison, Mrs. Cecil Meents and Miss Mignonne Fortier. Forty-two women became charter members on May 3, 1956, the date of our charter.
Through the years, the Zonta Club of Kankakee continues to participate in many service projects, each month, to help local not-for-profit organizations such as Clove Alliance, Harbor House, Fortitude Outreach and many others.
The Zonta Club of Kankakee and Zonta International also provides two yearly scholarships to local young women. The Young Woman in Leadership Scholarship recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and civic causes. The Zonta Woman in Business Leadership celebrates excellence and recognizes outstanding achievements by women between 18-35 years of age who are driving innovation and creating an impact in the business world.
Learn more about our governing body, Zonta International, at www.zonta.org
Build a Better World for
Women and Girls!
The Zonta Club of Kankakee is a vibrant organization celebrating over 69 years of service in the Kankakee area. We support local, national, and international organizations through service and advocacy.
We work at the international, national, and local levels to achieve our vision of a world in which women’s rights are recognized, and every woman is able to achieve her full potential, where women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, and where no woman lives in fear of violence.
Zonta is a member driven organization. We are always seeking new members. If you have a heart for service, we know you would make a great Zontian.
Anyone interested in membership or attending a meeting is encouraged to fill out the contact us section of this website.
We meet the first Tuesday of each month, except July, at the Quality Inn & Suites in Bradley. Social time begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6:00 p.m., and the general membership meeting is immediately following dinner.