Learn more about our work

Building a better world for women and girls

For nearly 100 years, our members have advocated for gender equality, funded education, and worked to end violence against women — here in the National Capital Region and around the world.

Who We Are

Service and advocacy, side by side

The Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada is part of Zonta International, a global organization of individuals working to build a better world for women and girls. Since 1929, our members have combined hands-on service with advocacy — funding scholarships, supporting local women's organizations, and speaking up on issues from gender-based violence to equal representation.

We're a club of doers: individuals from across the National Capital Region who believe that lasting change happens through direct support and through changing the systems around us.

Learn more about our club →

What We Do

Our advocacy in action

Every project we take on serves one goal: expanding rights, safety, and opportunities for women and girls — locally and worldwide.

Ending Violence Against Women

Through the global Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign, we raise awareness and support local organizations working with survivors during the 16 Days of Activism and year-round.

Education Awards

Our education awards open doors for young women — including the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award and Zonta Women in STEM Award — investing directly in the next generation of leaders.
See our education awards →

Local Service Projects

Our members give their time and skills to hands-on projects that support women and families in the National Capital Region — from donation drives to partnerships with local shelters and community organizations.

Climate Justice

The Zonta Says NOW to Gender-Equal Climate Action campaign focuses on how climate change is increasing gender inequality. This campaign advocates to end the gender-related consequences of climate change.

97

years serving Ottawa, Canada

Our Impact

Nine decades of showing up for women and girls

Since 1929, the Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada has been part of this city's story. Our causes have varied over the years. Our commitment to the education and empowerment of women and girls hasn't.

awards given out since 1984

dollars in education award funds given to women and girls since 1984

active members and growing

Be part of our next century!

Whether you're interested in membership, partnership, or learning more about our work empowering women and girls in the National Capital Region, reach out — there's a place for you here and we will get back to you soon!

Get Together

Upcoming events

From fundraisers to advocacy campaigns, our events are open to members and friends alike. Join us.

Scholarship Spotlight

Investing in the next generation

Sifa Gulin Tarakci  Jean M. Coon 2026 Humanitarian Award · 2026

Sifa is a Grade 12 student at Merivale High School whose community service is driven by a deep commitment to inclusion. As a Muslim immigrant woman, she is dedicated to inclusivity and creating spaces where everyone belongs. Some of her notable initiatives include founding the Panorama Multicultural Festival, which drew over 650 attendees and raised more than $1,000 for a non-profit supporting newcomers and launching a women's swim initiative so Muslim women in her community could stay active without compromising their religious values.

Learn about our scholarships →

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Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada
May 15,1929-2026 Celebrating 97 years of Service and Advocacy to All Women and Girls in Canada’s NCR

Three elevens containing black and white photos of diverse Veterans from across the ages with the words "Hour, Day, Month" written below them. The last two Veterans are wearing red poppies.www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/get-involved/remembrance-day-veterans-week/remembrance-day-toolkit ...
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2026 Veterans’ Week November 5 to 11Bright artwork of a large circle of red poppies against a shining sun in bright blue sky, with a Canadian flag in the middle of the poppies. Each poppy stem is held by military service members looking up to the flower they are holding. The text Veterans’ Week, November 5 to 11 appears below the artwork.Image: © The Legion National Foundation© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 2026Veterans’ Week is marked each year in the lead-up to Remembrance Day on November 11. It is a chance for all Canadians to recognize our Veterans and remember those who died to protect our freedom.Celebrating a century of The Royal Canadian LegionThe Royal Canadian Legion plays a leading role in helping Canadians keep remembrance alive in our communities. Each year, its National Youth Remembrance Contests, delivered in partnership with The Legion National Foundation, encourage young Canadians to remember through art, writing and videos.This year’s Veterans’ Week poster features artwork created by Chaelyn Han of Vancouver, British Columbia. Chaelyn used bright colours and stylized figures to show how the service and sacrifice of Canada’s Veterans supports the safe and free Canada we enjoy today.This Veterans’ Week, how will you honour those who have served and sacrificed in uniform?Learn more about the Legion’s National Youth Remembrance Contests at remembrancecontests.ca.About the artistChaelyn HanIn the fall of 2026, Chaelyn will start her first year of engineering at the University of British Columbia.Chaelyn has been creating art for as long as she can remember. From the moment she could hold a pencil or a paint brush, she found ways to express her thoughts and ideas through visual storytelling. She values the strong connection she has developed with art since childhood. It has helped her explore her creativity and shaped her identity as an artist.Chaelyn participated in the National Youth Remembrance Contests because she wanted to promote remembrance and remind Canadians of its importance. Chaelyn believes that remembrance is our shared responsibility. "It is a way to honour the courage and sacrifices of Veterans, not only through words, but also through the way we live and the values we choose to uphold." ...
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At the Fergusson Foundation, we envision a society rooted in healthy relationships and free from violence in all its forms. Your donation helps us raise awareness, fund research, support educational programs, and empower organizations working with those affected by family violence. bit.ly/en_Donate Join us — be part of the solution. Donate today and help break the cycle of family violence. À la Fondation Fergusson, notre vision est une société fondée sur des relations saines et libérée de la violence sous toutes ses formes. Votre don nous permet de sensibiliser, de financer la recherche, de soutenir des programmes éducatifs et d’accompagner les organismes qui œuvrent auprès des personnes touchées par la violence familiale. bit.ly/fr_faireundon Faites partie de la solution — faites un don dès aujourd’hui et contribuez à briser le cycle de la violence familiale. ...
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Reporting the truth shouldn’t come at the cost of personal safety.Yet online abuse is pushing many women journalists to silence themselves. Think about the stories we’re not hearing.Women journalists have the right to report freely, safely and without fear. There’s #NoExcuse for threats and attacks against them.#ForAllWomenAndGirls, we’re calling for those responsible to be held to account.On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, see what the data shows: bit.ly/4yQibvw#EndImpunity ...
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