Award description
Though about 40% of the world’s workforce is women, according to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, only 25.7% of all national parliamentarians were female as of 1 September 2021. Because Zonta International believes that young women are the key to women’s advancement in the field of public service, it offers the Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award, which recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
Established in 1990 by Past International President Leneen Forde, Zonta has given 1,091 awards, US$1,488,750, to 919 young women from 61 countries.
The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international awards of US$5,000. Each district/region may submit one applicant for consideration for an international scholarship. The five largest districts may submit a second applicant for a total of two applicants.
Applications for the 2024 Young Women in Public Affairs Awards have closed.
Application Process and Deadline
The application process must start with a Zonta club. All application materials must be received at a Zonta club by the deadline printed on the application. If you downloaded the application from the Zonta International website, you must contact a Zonta club for deadline information. If the Zonta club contact information is not printed on the application, please locate the Zonta club nearest you by using the Club Locator, or email your name and contact information to Zonta International Headquarters at [email protected].
Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district/region where no clubs are located will be considered and are eligible to apply for the international scholarships via a Zonta district/region.
Eligibility
Women, aged 16-19 on 1 April each year, studying at a secondary school, college or university in a Zonta district/region, or who are studying elsewhere but are citizens of a Zonta country, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.
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Active commitment to volunteerism.
- Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).
- Volunteer leadership achievements.
- Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.
- Support in Zonta International's mission of building a better world for women and girls.
Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district/region where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international awards. Previous district and international Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipients are not eligible to apply to renew the Award for a second year.
Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors, descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to apply for the Awards.
Z and Golden Z club members are also eligible to apply.
Funding
Young Women in Public Affairs Awards are made possible by generous contributions to the Zonta Foundation for Women Young Women in Public Affairs Award Fund from Zontians, Zonta clubs and friends of Zonta International.
Awardees
2024 YWPA Awardees | PDF
2024 YWPA Awardees' Bios | Coming soon
International Recipients
District 1, Amanda Vance, USA
District 2, Mary Vitale, USA
District 3, Kaitlyn Mondry, USA
District 4, Azka Siddiqui, Pakistan
District 5, Ashley Nevison, USA
District 6, Sophia Szymanski, USA
District 7, Ashtyn Young, USA
District 8, Natalie Jobe, USA
District 9, Lauren Park , USA
District 10, Maia Lopez Yurrita, Mexico and USA
District 11, Emily Qu, USA
District 12, Clara Drysdale, USA
District 13, Andrea Hertz, Denmark
District 14, Réka Mohosi, Hungary
District15, Jazmyne Rees, USA
District 16, Mackenzie Wills, New Zealand
District 17, Premrudee Mepremwattana, Thailand
District 17, Amaanat Rekhi, Hong Kong
District 18, Nissi Arday, Ghana
Region South America, Priscila Barrios, Uruguay
District 20, Isa Parviainen, Finland
District 21, Sindija Brakmane, Latvia
District 21, Thea Staxhammar, Sweden
District 22, Mary Do, Australia
District 23, Lily Meredith Correll, Australia
District 24, Inika Narayan, Australia
District 25,Vyshalini Rajendran, Sri Lanka
District 26, Koto Kanori, Japan
District 27, Mahla Hossein Zadeh, Afghanistan
District 27, Paulina Molteni, Germany
District 28, Cara Herzog, Germany
District 28, Justine Thébault-Weiser, USA and France
District 29, Ella Gottschling, Germany
District 29, Marlene Walter, Germany
District 30, Antoaneta Dimova, Bulgaria
District 30, Anthea Reeb, Germany
District 31, Chih-Syuan Lin, Taiwan, R.O.C.
District 32, Jihyeon Sung, South Korea
Questions
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].