To fulfill the Zonta mission of empowering women worldwide, we must focus on gender equality in education, an essential human right, critical to development for all. Significant gaps still remain at the university level. These gaps are even more significant in fields traditionally dominated by men. Zonta International Foundation supports programs for women and girls pursuing education and careers in the traditionally male-dominated fields of aerospace sciences and engineering, business and business management and public affairs.
(YWPA) Award recognizes young women, ages 16-19, who demonstrate superior leadership skills and a commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
Zonta Club of Madison awards a $1,000 award and forwards the winner’s application as appropriate to Zonta District 6 for consideration for an additional $5,000 award from Zonta International.
Applications for the 2024 scholarship were due to Zonta Club of Madison by February 10, 2024.
Learn more: https://www.zonta.org/Web/Programs/Education/Young_Women_in_Public_Affairs_Award.aspx
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Madison Club Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship Winners
2023
The 2023 YWPA award winner, Kadjata Bah, is a student at Madison East High School and her goal is to pursue a career in journalism and African studies. In her words, she wants to “create outlets for students to engage, and open up the world for her community”. Some of the school and community activities she is engaged in to achieve her goals include:
- Co-president of the Black Student Union organization on campus
- Teen editor at the Simpson Street Free Press (a non-profit news organization by & for students, grades 3-12, in existence for over 30 years).
- Involvement with and volunteering for the Goodman Community Center
- Reporter for the Eastside News Community publication
- Internships at the Capital Times and Madison Magazine
She has been named the “Wisconsin Journalist of the Year” by the Wisconsin Journalism Education Association and is entered into the National High School Journalist of the Year competition.
2022
Alexandria Zuehlke was selected as the winner of the Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship award from our club. Alex graduated from Madison West high schoolwith plans to attend Georgetown University. Her career goals include study in global health and work to improve the economic and racial inequality in our health systems. In addition to her studies, Alex was involved in DECA, the National Honors Society and the High School Democrats of America, as well as working as a bank teller. She volunteered during the 2020 elections to Get Out The Vote and voter registration
2021
Lauren Johnson, a student at LaFollette High School in Madison, was selected as the 2021 winner of the YWPA scholarship from the Zonta Club of Madison. Lauren demonstrated a strong interest & participation in Public Policy as a student by volunteering as an intern for Senator Lena Taylor, participating in election prep and assisting with the campaign for another WI senatorial candidate. She also is interested in climate policy issues and was a founding member for a local chapter of a nonprofit organization called Youth Climate Action Team, which has chapters nation-wide. Lauren’s career goals include obtaining a law degree and becoming a leader in the next generation of policymakers.
