Zonta Club inducts new members

         Oct 27, 2023                                                                                                                                    The Bradford Era

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The Zonta Club of Bradford has a current membership of nearly 50 as they welcomed 13 new members at Marilyn Horne Hall on Tuesday evening. Zonta District 4 governor, Sheena Poole, Zonta Club of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, inducted the new members in the Zonta candlelight induction ceremony. Assisting Poole was Area 5 Director Gretchen Copella, Zonta Club of Olean, and Bradford Zonta Club President Holly Puglio. Puglio welcomed guests and led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Zonta Blessing. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Metz Culinary Management catered a buffet dinner.

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Following the meal, Puglio introduced Gae Colligan and Carol Ryan, Zonta Club Bradford membership committee co-chairmen. Each new member received her Zonta pin, a symbolic yellow rose, and her 2023-2024 program booklet. New members inducted include Jan Ballerini, Greta Billings, Erin Harvey Bridge, Karen Buchheit, Jeanne Capra, Connie Johnson, Olivia Mascho, Michele McCann, Sharon Peet, Cinda Roberts, Crystal Salada and Nicole Steinhauer.

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Julie Kleinberger, who coordinates the mentoring program, invited mentors to give each new Zontian her name badge. Mentors for 2023 inductees are Gae Colligan, Carma Horner, Ronda Skoken, Julie Kleinberger, Suzy Zirkle, Frannie Runyon, Carol Ryan, Mary Boser, Colleen Scrivo, Andrea Root, Shelley Harvey, Patti Neidich and Suzy Mayer-Page. The mentors will guide the newest members in understanding Zonta’s mission and local projects such as United Way ambassadors, ELF Fund package wrappers, poinsettia sales, UPB and BASH scholarships, birthing kits, golf tournaments, and new Zonta spirit activities. One of the new members, Connie Johnson, will be delivering 100+ kits to Uganda in November with her church mission trip. Other guests enjoying the evening were Janice Dermis, Zonta Club of Erie, a large group of Zontians from the Zonta Club of Olean, and all but five Bradford Zontians.

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Puglio gave closing remarks and introduced Gae Colligan who directed all in song and sign language. The inspiring lyrics of the song “One Woman: A Song for UN Women” was a 2013 melody performed by 25 singers from more than 20 diverse countries. Zontians sing, share, and shine when they are unified in purpose to build a better world for women and girls.

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