Save the Date: 80's Murder Mystery Sept. 27th!
2025 WIBL Award Cycle is
Now Open!
Zonta Club of Olympia invites eligible women to participate in our Women in Business Leadership Award Program.
The purpose of this award is to encourage women to drive innovation and impact in the business world. The WIBL Award celebrates excellence and recognizes outstanding achievements by women between 18-35 years of age. This award honors exceptional leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, ethical conduct and significant contributions while addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice.
What are Olympia Zonta's Requirements?
Completed application, along with supporting documents are due by June 30th, 2025. If mailing documents, please ensure forms are received at the PO Box address by this date. The selected applicant will receive $2000 for tuition, fees, and materials; and her application will go on to the Zonta District and possibly International level. Winners at this level will each receive $10,000.
DEADLINE: June 30th, 2025
Questions? Please contact us at olympiazonta@gmail.com.
Learn more about our scholarship programs here.
In Loving Memory: Toy J. Kay
It is with both sadness and deep reverence that I share the passing of our beloved friend and longtime Zonta Club of Olympia member, Toy J. Kay.
Her family has let us know that she passed away peacefully Tuesday, 4/7, around 9:00 a.m., just a few months after we had the joy and honor of celebrating her remarkable 100th birthday.
Toy was a luminous presence in our Zonta community—a woman of quiet strength, unwavering kindness, and steadfast service. Toy rose with grace, carried others with compassion, and lived with purpose. Her leadership, dedication to promoting membership, and wonderful sense of humor were strengths that inspired so many of us.
A noted Chinese American elder in our region Toy wrote her autobiography, with some assistance, titled "An American Picture Bride", in which she shared her powerful life story. Born in Butte, Montana and raised in the tradition of women living in the late 1800's Qing Dynasty of China, Toy’s journey was one of profound personal and spiritual transformation. Painfully shy and taught to be an obedient wife, she entered into an arranged marriage in 1941 at the age of 16. Her husband, Bill Kay, brought her to Olympia, Washington, where she began working the very next day at the family restaurant, Kay’s Café—a place she would dedicate herself to for 33 years.
But Toy's path did not end there. She blossomed into a courageous leader and community builder. She founded the Olympia Area Chinese Association and was an active participant in many service organizations. In 2003, she was recognized with the Living Legend Award of Thurston County—an honor that reflected a life lived in service, resilience, and love.
We will miss Toy deeply—her presence, her wisdom, and her many contributions to our Zonta Club and beyond. But her legacy will endure as we carry her story forward and continue the work she so passionately believed in.
We have let Toy’s family know that we are here to support them. We will share more information as soon as we receive it. In the meantime, may we hold her in our hearts and honor her memory through the lives we lead.
With heartfelt sympathy and gratitude,
Shelly Willis, President, Zonta Club of Olympia
Get Ready for a Totally Rad Night: Save the Date for Our 1980s Murder Mystery Fundraiser!
Dust off your neon leg warmers, tease your hair sky-high, and prepare to relive the music, fashion, and excitement of the 80s. But there’s more—there’s been a murder, and we need your detective skills to uncover the culprit!
Enjoy a night filled with suspense, laughter, and plenty of opportunities to dance to your favorite 80s hits. This event promises to be a thrilling experience while supporting an important cause. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward funding Zonta Club of Olympia’s grant and scholarship programs, empowering women and making a positive impact in our community.
When:
Saturday, September 27th.
Where:
Indian Summer Gold and Country Club, Olympia.
Don’t miss this exciting event! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for ticket information. It’s going to be totally tubular!
Empower Your Mission:
Meet Our 2025-2026 Community Grant Recipients!
Zonta International is a global organization of professionals dedicated to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. Locally, the Zonta Club of Olympia continues this mission by providing grant funding to nonprofit organizations that advance women’s legal rights, health, education, and economic status, combat violence against women, and promote self-esteem for females of all ages.
Each biennium, we award grants of up to $3,000 annually, renewable for a second year based on successful completion of grant requirements. These funds support impactful programs and initiatives that align with our mission to create a better world for women and girls.
If your organization is making a difference in the lives of women and girls, we invite you to apply and partner with us in driving meaningful change!
The following 13 local non-profit organizations will receive our support for the next two years:
Dispute Resolution Center
Dry Tikes & Wet Wipes
Expanding Your Horizons TOGETHER - STEAM
4 The Love Foundation
Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative
Monarch Children's Justice & Advocacy
Olympia Peace Choir
Pizza Klatch
Rebuilding Together Thurston County
Senior Services for South Sound
South Sound Reading Foundation
YWCA Olympia
Kathleen's Closet
Learn more about our grant programs here.
Protect Voting Rights: Oppose the SAVE Act
On April 10, 2025, the House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) ACT.
The bill’s primary aim is to prevent non-citizens from voting, but in doing so will also present a barrier for millions of American women who have legally changed their name from exercising their right to vote. The right to vote is at the very foundation of our democracy and this bill puts the voting rights of millions of Americans at risk. If passed through the Senate, the bill will impose registration requirements, which would make it extremely difficult for those with a name change to register to vote for the first time or update their voter registration if they move addresses.
The SAVE ACT would:
Require every voter to register or update their registration in person.
Mandate proof of citizenship with documents that many don’t have easy access to.
Eliminate key registration options like mail-in, online, and third-party voter registration drives.
More than 9 percent of citizens of voting age — or
21.3 million people — do not have documents readily available that prove their citizenship, per a study from VoteRiders, Public Wise, the Brennan Center for Justice and the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland. It will disenfranchise others from marginalized communities who are less likely to have the necessary documentation readily available. For example, the study found that people of color are more likely than white Americans to lack documentary proof of citizenship. Additionally, an estimated 69 million American women and 4 million men do not have a birth certificate that matches their current legal
name, according to the Center for American Progress.
In the past, some states have attempted legislation to ban non-citizen voting, which is already illegal. These types of laws are similar to the SAVE Act in Kansas and Arizona and were struck down by judges who said they were unconstitutional and disenfranchised Americans.
Congresswoman Maxine Dexter brought forward an amendment to the bill which would put a pause on the SAVE Act until Congress could study and conclusively say that it would not impede married women's ability to register to vote; however, this amendment was blocked. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark stated in a news conference, “It is built on a false premise that there are noncitizens voting in large numbers that are swaying elections. And what is the answer to that? Make it harder for women in this country to vote, who changed their names because they got
married?”
It is important to note as American citizens navigating through this critical moment for our democracy, to remember that every action — big or small — moves us closer to the future we deserve. Whether making calls to Congress, registering to vote, or simply talking with friends and family about what's at stake. Keep pushing, keep organizing, and keep believing in the power of the people.
Please use the ZI Caucus pre-drafted letters to urge your senators to oppose the SAVE ACT (S. 128). If they have already sponsored or co sponsored the bill, you can send a message.
Learn more here.
Member Spotlight: Mary Jelvik, Honored with the 2024 South Sound Exceptional Woman Award!
We are so proud to announce our Zonta Club of Olympia recipient of the Soroptimist of Olympia 2024 South Sound Exceptional Woman, Mary Jelvik!
Mary has been an integral part of Zonta Olympia since 2014, contributing her skills and dedication to various roles over the past decade. Currently serving as Chair of the Club Advocacy Committee, Mary is actively involved in advocating for the passing of the End Child Marriage legislation in Washington State. Her leadership during the recent pandemic as President ensured the club remained connected and focused on its mission of helping women and children. Mary's unwavering commitment to this cause has greatly benefited the club over the years. Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Mary navigated the club through the Zoom era and spearheaded fundraising efforts despite fluctuating restrictions.
Congratulations, Mary!
Zonta International Calls for Urgent Aid and Safety in Gaza
As violence intensifies in Israel, with a disproportionate impact on women and girls, Zonta International strongly denounces all forms of conflict-related violence. The organization underscores the unequivocal condemnation of inhumane acts.
Gaza is currently in a critical state, with reports revealing 50,000 pregnant women unable to access vital health services. Among them, 5,500 are expected to give birth in the next month, leading to 166 daily births without proper healthcare or clean water. In support of UN Secretary-General António Guterres' plea for swift humanitarian access to Gaza, Zonta International advocates for ensuring essential supplies and healthcare services for all civilians, especially women and children.
Aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Zonta urges all involved parties to fully adhere to international laws protecting the rights of women and girls, particularly as civilians. The resolution emphasizes the need for special measures to shield women and girls from gender-based violence in armed conflicts. Zonta International remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the rights, safety, and well-being of those impacted by the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Learn more about ZI's involvement here.
Empowering Women Through Action: Next Right Step's Impactful Initiative
What is NRS?
NRS is a wrap-around fund that pays for non-crisis, one-time expenses that are barriers to a woman’s self-sufficiency. Women can access up to $500 for expense related to maintaining transportation, legal, education, employment, health and housing.
From 2017 to 2023, the Next Right Step, in partnership with the Zonta Club of Olympia, has contributed $87,600, impacting the lives of 260 women in Thurston County.
What is the NRS Giving Circle?
A Giving Circle is simply a group of people who band together to pool their philanthropic money and make charitable donations to a cause we all care about. The NRS Giving Circle honors and builds on the 7- year legacy of Zonta’s NRS. The Giving Circle raises money for the same cause and together we amplify our power and make a greater impact.
By becoming a Giving Circle member, your donation can positively influence the lives of 2-5 women this year, contributing to the strength and resilience of our community. Join us in making a lasting impact!
As of 2024, Zonta Club of Olympia will be donating $2000 annually. Interested in being a supporter?
Learn more here.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Event
On May 14th 2024, Zonta Club of Olympia held a MMIW Call to Action event to discuss how we as a community can fight against the injustices and violence on Native American women and families.
We were honored to host an impactful event featuring distinguished guests Harvest Moon, a Coastal Salish Master Basketweaver and Storyteller; Jeri Moomaw, Executive Director of Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative; and our Keynote Speaker, Roxanne White, Executive Director and Founder of Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women, People and Families.
The first step in preventing the victimization of Native sisters is raising awareness. These crimes affect us all and are not just a tribal issue.
For more information and to find out how you can help, visit Native Women's Wilderness MMIW.
Learn more about our previous MMIW event here.
Congratulations 2024-2025 Grant Recipients!
We are excited that the following local non-profit organizations will receive our support for the next yea, beginning with the Celebration of Giving held in March. Typical grants are up to $3,000 per year.
Learn more about our grant programs here.
Tackling Child Marriage in Washington: A Call to Action for January 18th
Child marriage poses a significant threat in Washington due to perilous legal loopholes allowing parents to arrange marriages for children of any age. Shockingly, between 2000 and 2021, 5,048 minors, some as young as 13, were married in the state, with over 80% involving girls marrying adult men. This alarming practice creates a legal quagmire, impacting every aspect of a young girl's life, prompting the U.S. State Department to label marriage before 18 as a "human rights abuse."
The Washington Coalition to End Child Marriage recently organized a highly successful Chain-in event at the Capital in support of the HB1455 aimed at ending child marriage in Washington State. During this impactful demonstration, volunteers donned wedding gowns, were linked together in chains, and symbolically had their mouths taped. A significant number of Zonta members from across Washington State actively participated in the event.
Learn more about event here.
SERVICE AND ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT
Learn more about the how Zonta International is supporting the End Child Marriage project in this flyer and in the video below.
4,831 children were married in the State of Washington between 2000 and 2018.
As of 2024, only ten states have passed laws ending child marriage and Washington is now the 11th! Currently, there are many loopholes that allow marriage under the age of 18.
HB 1455 will be eliminating some of those loopholes that exist in Washington State such as:
Void of marriages that were attained under the age of 18.
Void of marriages with persons incapable of consenting or when consent was obtained by force.
Removing the exception of parental/guardian consent to underage marriage.
Updates
As of February 23rd: HB 1455 passed both House and Senate!
Governor Inslee has signed HB1455, making Washington the 11th state (and the first on the West Coast) to end child marriage!
Read more about this from the Seattle Times.
Kinship families typically include grandparents, aunts, and sisters who have assumed the responsibility of raising siblings, opting for family care over placement in foster homes. This decision often places unforeseen financial burdens on caregivers. Zonta Olympia strives to bring a touch of joy to their lives by alleviating some of these hardships.
How it works:
For several years, Zonta Olympia has been a proud sponsor of Kinship families, extending financial support for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, providing gifts for the entire family during the holiday season, distributing Easter candy, and ensuring birthday celebrations are memorable.
These deserving families are referred to us through Family Education and Support Services, where they undergo careful screening before becoming recipients of our assistance.
Zonta Olympia commits to adopting these families for at least a full year, recognizing the unique challenges faced by Kinship families.
This year, Zonta Olympia as proudly adopted two families:
Sierra (29): Along with her partner Caitlin, Sierra is raising her 15-year-old brother and 10-year-old sister while their mother is incarcerated. They reside in Olympia, and Sierra is currently working towards obtaining her commercial driver’s license.
Nicole (32): Nicole is raising her 14-year-old niece and 13-year-old son. Working as an in-home care provider, Nicole earns just enough to disqualify her from rent/utilities assistance.
Interested in supporting these families?
To bolster the support for these families, Zonta Olympia hosts annual holiday parties, creating a space to not only celebrate but also to deepen our understanding of the Kinship family program and contribute gifts. The commitment to these families extends beyond the festive season, reflecting Zonta Olympia's dedication to making a lasting impact in the lives of those who need it most.
CLUB OF OLYMPIA CALENDAR
Interested? Take a look at our page on becoming a member and contact us!
We can not wait to see you at our next meeting!