Spotlight On: Sanibel-Captiva Zonta

Every so often we like to highlight an organization on Sanibel that helps to shape the culture and climate of the Island.


These are organizations, comprised largely of volunteers, who go the extra mile to lend a hand. Some, like C.R.O.W. and SCCF, focus on wild life, others focus on the people who live near and on the Island who need assistance and guidance.


Our current spotlight is on the Sanibel-Captiva Zonta Club. The Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva is a service organization of professional women working together to provide hands-on assistance, advocacy and funds to strengthen women's lives on the islands, in Lee County and around the world through Zonta International.


The Sanibel-Captiva Club recently hosted the Zonta International conference for district 11 (District 11 is comprised of the southeastern states from North Carolina to the Caribbean, and includes the Bahamas and British Virgin Islands.)


For Zonta members, these conferences are a rich source of networking, sharing and celebrating successes all while meeting the Zonta International mission of improving the status of women. The chosen theme for this past conference was "Saving the World, One Woman at a Time." The club received valuable support from other clubs in the region, including Sarasota, Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples.


There are 42 clubs in the District and 33 of them were represented by delegates and other members. A total of 155 registered for the conference, including 31 "first-timers" and a representative of the Zonta International board, Kirsi Nickels from Finland.


The conference offered several stimulating presentations on global issues. One of these was by Nicole Waid, acting chief U.S. attorney, Middle District of Florida, who spoke passionately about the work of the State Attorney's office and task forces combating human trafficking.


It also offered an opportunity for the Island to strut its stuff. Attendees not only had the opportunity to see and enjoy Sanibel, but were treated to a luncheon talk by Dr. Jose Leal, executive director and curator of the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, entitled "Shells and the Stories They Tell Us."


Sanibel Holiday applauds Zonta for all the good work that they do, and has a thunderous ovation for their efforts in bringing in visitors from around the area, state, country and world to the shores of Sanibel. The Island has long been a conference destination for many groups and with the help of chapters like Sanibel-Captiva Zonta, Sanibel will continue to attract such worthwhile organizations as Zonta International.