March 8 is International Women’s Day. Zonta International celebrates this day by acknowledging the courage of ordinary women whose determined efforts make a difference in the lives of women.

Every day, women and men work locally to advance this goal.

This year, the Zonta Club of Bradford celebrated International Women’s Day and Zonta Rose Day by recognizing 10 women and one man. Each was presented with a yellow rose and thanked for their support of women’s issues and equality.

This year’s honorees are Sally Costic and Judy Yorks from the Bradford Landmark Society, Brenda Brandon and Donna Armstrong Dombek from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Jeannie Satterwhite from YWCA Bradford and Kaleidoscope, Stacy Williams from Bradford Regional Medical Center, Ellen Mialky from The Learning Center, Tina Martin from CARE for Children, Kristin Asinger from Bradford Little Theatre, Sara Andrews from the Office of Economic and Community Development and the Tuna Valley Trail Association, and Joe Doriguzzi from the Friendship Table.

According to Zonta, there are several gender rights issues they believe still need addressed, including the fact that the United States has not ratified an Equal Rights Amendment, that no country can claim full gender equality, that there continues to be an ongoing struggle for entry into male-dominated careers and representation in government, and that domestic violence is a continuing menace. The group will persist in fighting for these.

Zonta International’s goal is gender equality by 2030 everywhere.