DEADLINE
The deadline to apply for the 2026 Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award is now closed. Please check back in July 2027 for more details about the 2027 applications.
Award description
Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award (formerly the Young Women in Public Affairs Award) 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.
Since 1990, Zonta has given 1,165 awards, totaling US$1,858,750 to 993 young women from 60 countries.
The program operates at the Zonta club, district and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international awards of US$5,000. Each district 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.
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 where no clubs are located will be considered and are eligible to apply for the international scholarships via a Zonta district.
Eligibility
Women, aged 16-19 on 1st April each year, living in a Zonta district or who 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 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 for the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award.
Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women are not eligible to apply for the Awards. Committee or jury members or any member involved in the selection process should follow the Zonta International Conflict of Interest Policy in the selection of awardees.
Z club and Golden Z club members are also eligible to apply. Previous district and international recipients are not eligible to apply to renew the Award for a second year.
Funding
Young Women in Leadership Awards are made possible by generous contributions to the Zonta Foundation for Women Young Women in Leadership Award Fund from Zontians, Zonta clubs and friends of Zonta International.
Awardees
2026 Zonta Young Women in Leadership Awardees | PDF
International Recipients
District 1, Danielle Moore, Canada
District 2, Ayesha Afghan, USA
District 3, Lauren Tyree, USA
District 4, Maple-Gin Benson, Canada
District 5, Sekela Kibonde, USA
District 6, Aditi Muduganti, USA
District 7, Elsa Muellersman, USA
District 8, Ella Yan, Canada
District 9, Analiese Alexander, USA
District 10, Ellison Tatsch, USA
District 11, Brookelyn Williams, USA
District 12, Karlie Heaney, USA
District 13, Siff Hulbækdahl, Denmark
District 14, Annabell Huras, Germany
District 15, Marissa Ford, USA
District 16, Aroa Atkinson, New Zealand
District 17, Samara Anand, USA
District 17, Sinanya Sinpitaksakul, Thailand
District 18, Yasmine Kone, Cote D’Ivoire
District 19, Agustina Syrowicz Cardozo, Uruguay
District 20, Emma Albert, Finland and Germany
District 21, Massa Jaosh, Sweden
District 22, Seoirsin Greer, Australia
District 23, Mackenzie Li, Australia
District 24, Hadiya Fatima, Australia and Pakistan
District 25, Imandi Mahawatte, Sri Lanka
District 26, Miyoko Matsuo, Japan
District 27, Sofia De Giovanni, Italy
District 27, Mathilde Leitão, Luxembourg
District 28, Allegra Baschiera, Italy
District 28, Joana Pereira, Switzerland
District 29, Lotte Dietrich, Germany
District 29, Tuyet Kha Nguyen, Germany
District 30, Joanna Mclean, France
District 30, Maike Wildhagen, Germany
District 31, Isabelle Chapman, Taiwan and Britain
District 32, Yeyoon Cheon, South Korea
Questions
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].