Zonta Promotes Women In Science

14th January 2006

The Zonta Club of Wellington is again searching for a top woman scientist. If you fit the bill why not apply for the ninth Zonta Science Award. We are now seeking applications for the Award, which will be presented at The Grand Hall, Parliament, in June 2006.

“The Zonta Science Award promotes science as a career for women as well as providing encouragement and recognition for those already in the field”, says Award Convenor, Sharon Nelson-Kelly. “We are looking for an outstanding woman scientist able to use the Award to assist her career, a person who can be an advocate for women in science but who has also contributed to her community. By being a role model for other women scientists she will demonstrate the rewards of entering into the science field”, continues Ms Nelson-Kelly.

This Award is for an emerging woman scientist; not the top woman scientist in her field. The recipient must demonstrate to the judging panel the benefit they will receive from the travel associated with the Award. Preference will be given to an applicant where alternative sources of funding are limited.

The winner of the Award receives their airfare to Europe or the United States for further study as well as $10,000 in cash. She is also presented with the Zonta Science Medal designed by well-known sculptor Tanya Ashken, a former member of Zonta International.
The winner will join an illustrious list of previous recipients, notably:

2004 Dr Ursula Cochran, earth scientist
2002 Dr Julia Charity, forestry biotechnologist
2000 Dr Michele Prinsep, organic chemist
1998 Dr Helen Neil, paleoceanographer
1996 Dr Wendy Nelson, botanist
1997 Jacqueline Rowarth, plant physiologist
1998 Pip Gerard, environmental scientist
1999 Jean Fleming, research scientist

The Principal Sponsor of the Zonta Science Award is BP Oil New Zealand, with the John Ilott Charitable Trust also supporting the Award. The Zonta Club of Wellington contributes financially and organises the event.

Applications for the Award close on 28th February 2006. Women interested in applying may either access an application form from the Zonta website: http://www.zonta.org.nz/uploaded/ZoNews131.doc or by contacting the Award Convenor Sharon Nelson-Kelly at the address below.

Zonta Science Award
Zonta Club of Wellington Inc.
PO Box 10 274
WELLINGTON

Background

Zonta International

Zonta is an international organisation of executive and professional women working together to advance the status of women. There are over 33,000 members in 1,242 clubs in 68 countries around the world.

Zonta International holds consultative status with United Nations’ agencies – UNICEF, UNESCO, ECOSOC - and has permanent observers at the UN in New York, Paris and Geneva. It undertakes international funding projects to which all clubs throughout the world contribute. For example the Amelia Earhart Scholarship is awarded annually to 15 postgraduate students to pursue work in the aerospace science.

Over one million dollars has been contributed to the United Nations Unifem Fund to aid the economic development of women in ten of the world’s poorest nations. In addition, the fund raising activities of the New Zealand clubs support local organisations.

The Zonta Club of Wellington is one of 29 clubs in New Zealand. The Zonta Science Award was initiated by the Wellington Club to fulfil one of Zonta’s main objectives, to improve the economic, legal and political status of women. Visit our website at http://www.zonta.org.nz

ENDS

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