Zonta Club of Cebu 1 celebrates 50th year

The Zonta Club of Cebu 1 is celebrating its 50th annniversary of community service.

The club holds the distinction of being the second oldest club in the Philippines after Zonta Club of Manila. It was chartered on November 8, 1968 through the leadership of Dr. Suga Sotto Yuvienco as the 1st Charter President.

The club is part of a worldwide organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women.

It has 53 active and influential women members — business heads, nonprofit executives, retirees, leaders in service programs — who volunteer their time and talents to serve.

Over time, the club has accumulated funds for the creation of outreach projects supporting the mission of the Zonta International. As an organization that seeks to empower women through service and advocacy, the club initiated the opening of the first private hospital-based domestic violence program called Violence Against Women Crises Intervention and Referral Canter at the Gullas Memorial Hospital in Banilad.

In response to high rates of chronic diseases in women, the club continuously support women’s health by conducting early cancer detection screening, health promotion disease prevention workshops in targeted barangays. In addition, as a way of combating poverty, supported access to financial resources through the establishment of micro-credit programs and promoting entrepreneurial skills in quilt and recycled bag making.

Zonta Club of Cebu 1 will be celebrating 50 years in community service with a magazine, "Women in Service.” The publication of the 82-page magazine documents the club’s five decades of services showcasing 22 leaders and members who have enriched the club's presence in Cebu.

The magazine will promote historic narratives of community projects initiated to empower women in targeted communities, and allow women-led groups to increase awareness and interest to help support or sustain the projects.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, the club will also hold "Celebrating Life with Jose Mari Chan," a fundraising concert on November 23, 7 p.m. at the Pacific Grand Ballroom, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. Part of the proceeds of the concert will go to the different projects of the club.