Zonta e-Club of Latvia celebrates Rose Day with meaningful action and inspiration

March marked a significant period for Zonta clubs worldwide as they participated in the Zonta International Yellow Rose Campaign. The Zonta e-Club of Latvia joined the initiative through activities including Yellow Rose Bingo and a Rose Day celebration, promoting small, meaningful actions aligned with Zonta values.

Yellow Rose Bingo encouraged members and participants to bring the campaign’s message into everyday life through simple acts that reflect advocacy and community engagement.

On 8 March, International Women’s Day, the club celebrated Rose Day, honoring women whose work creates lasting impact. The event featured the presentation of the book “Freedom to Be Myself – A Woman’s Journey to Self-Confidence,” a collection of authentic stories exploring self-awareness, resilience and the journey toward confidence and self-acceptance. The stories go beyond achievements, revealing vulnerability, resilience, and the ongoing path toward authenticity.

The book invites reflection on women’s relationship with themselves - particularly self-awareness and self-worth - emphasizing that true value is rooted in inner acceptance rather than external success. It also highlights common challenges, including perfectionism and fear of judgment. At its core, the book reflects one of Zonta’s fundamental principles - solidarity: the ability to listen, support and stand beside one another without judgment, reinforcing the values of the Yellow Rose Campaign.

As part of the celebration, the club introduced a new annual award, “ZONTA EXCELLENCE,” to recognize Zontians and volunteers whose contributions strengthen communities and expand opportunities for women and girls.

The inaugural award was presented to Baiba Rivža, founder of the Zonta Club of Jelgava, in recognition of her leadership and role in advancing the Zonta movement in Latvia. Her work has supported women’s leadership, education and collaboration, and contributed to the establishment of the Zonta e-Club of Latvia. The award, a glass artwork titled “Symbol of Inspiration,” represents strength, wisdom and the ability to inspire others.

The event was held at Īle Church in Dobele Municipality, a historic site that serves as both a place of worship and a community center. Attendees also contributed donations toward the church’s restoration, supporting the preservation of the site for future generations.

Organizers said the celebration reflected the power of connection through shared stories, community engagement and collective action, reinforcing a shared commitment to dignity, equality and opportunity for all women and girls.