Young Women in Public Affairs

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The goal of the Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award Program is to encourage young women to participate in public affairs by recognizing a commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.

In order for more women to be represented in key decision making positions worldwide, we must encourage young women to pursue careers or seek leadership positions in public policy-making, government and volunteer organizations and further their education with these aims in view.

Public affairs refers to all aspects of community life where decisions have to be made about issues which relate to and affect those communities in which people work and live.

For more information contact zontabotanybay@hotmail.com and attention to YWPA

This annual award runs from approximately May to September each year. In 2019 the club continued its 25-year support of this Zonta International Award, recognising the leadership achievements of young women in St George and Sutherland Shire secondary schools.  

Our 27th year of YWPA was another year of amazing young ladies, more so for the fact they have optimistically embraced their senior high school years under conditions never experienced by predecessors.   Congratulations to ALL applicants however, after yet another difficult selection process by the Committee, following are the six  finalists –

Paris Alcorn                  The Jannali High School – Winner

Lara Proctor                 Engadine High School – Runner up

Ashleigh Dean             Lucas Heights Community School – Highly                    Commended

Madeleine Guevarro   Beverly Hills Girs High - Finalist

Roaa Ahmed                 Beverly Hills Girls High - Finalist

Sofia De Bells                St. Ursula’s College – Finalist

Paris is school captain at Jannali High;   she talked about her challenges this year and acknowledged the need to be kind to herself and being positive during testing times.   She spoke about realizing the importance of routine, particularly since she is a very social person, who loved her school community as well as being heavily involved in soccer and other outdoor activities prior to lockdown.      Her future plans are focussed on a few options, i.e becoming a paramedic, further studies towards medical paediatrics, or teaching PE at primary or high school level.  Paris’ application will now be submitted to District 24 for consideration at District level.

The Club extends our thanks to all schools for encouraging their students to participate in this award.  Thanks also to our selection committee.