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 →

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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.

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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 →

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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.

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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.

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 in Touch

Oct 18

Zonta Events

Persons Day

Persons Day marks the 1929 decision in the Persons Case, when the "Famous Five" — Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise…

Oct 24

Zonta Events

United Nations Day

UN Day marks the anniversary of the United Nations Charter coming into force in 1945. It's a moment to recognize the UN's…

Oct 28

Zonta Club Meetings

ZCO CA Members Meeting – 28 October 2026

Members of the Zonta Club of Ottawa Area gather for our regular meeting: club updates, committee reports, and a chance to connect…

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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

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

Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada

1 hour ago

LAST CALL!There are fewer than two weeks left to see a powerful exhibition featuring more than five decades of Sylvia Safdie’s work. In Feet (1992–2021), Safdie arranges stones in pairs so they echo the contours of the human body. Bound with metal and marked by time, these natural materials become stand-ins for absent figures, reflecting our instinct to recognize ourselves in the world around us. Through minimal intervention, Safdie transforms natural objects into a reflection on presence, vulnerability, and connection. Sylvia Safdie: TERRA closes on October 25, 2026. Plan your visit ➡ bit.ly/4uMbB7k #SylviaSafdieTERRA 🖼️ Sylvia Safdie, Feet (detail), 1992–2021, stone, steel, glass, bronze, 16 × 360 × 200 cm. Courtesy of the artist © Sylvia Safdie Photo: Richard-Max Tremblay ...

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Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada

2 hours ago

Today is Persons Day, commemorating the 1929 decision that finally recognized women as “persons” under Canadian law. It was a major victory, but it didn’t include everyone. Indigenous women and women of color were still denied the same rights and recognition. Today, the fight for equality continues. At Interval House, we continue to advocate for the rights and safety of all women and work toward a future free from intimate partner violence.#PersonsDay2026 #GenderEquality #EndGenderBasedViolence #IntervalHouse ...

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Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada

4 hours ago

Honouring Persons Day, today! Today, we remember the trailblazing efforts of the Famous Five: Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Henrietta Muir Edwards. These women made history in 1929 by challenging the legal definition of "persons" to include women, marking a turning point in Canada’s journey toward gender equality. Their determination helped pave the way for women to be recognized as full participants in public and political life. The Persons Case was a victory for gender equality but did not address the intersection of gender and race when it came to legal rights. Indigenous women and women of Asian heritage and descent in Canada continued to face exclusion and discrimination. We are celebrating this achievement today while recognizing that the fight for inclusive gender equality continues. Learn more about Persons Day: www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/womens-history-month/persons-d... #PersonsDay #WHM2026 #WomenAndGenderEquity #NewBrunswick #Canada ...

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Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada

4 hours ago

🇨🇦 OCTOBER 18 | THE PERSONS CASEA question that changed history. A decision that opened doors. A legacy that calls us to action.On October 18, 1929, a landmark decision confirmed that women were “persons” under the law and eligible for appointment to the Senate of Canada.This historic victory followed the determination of the Famous Five: Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby, who challenged the legal exclusion of women from public life.Their achievement reminds us that progress begins when courageous women question the status quo and work together to change it.Yet, this decision did not bring equality to all women. Indigenous women and women from racialized communities continued to face systemic barriers, a reminder that equality must include every woman.At BPW Canada, we honour the legacy of the Famous Five by continuing to advocate for women’s equal participation, leadership and representation in all spheres of society.The question is no longer whether women are persons. It is whether women have the equal opportunities, representation and influence they deserve.#BPWCanada #PersonsCase #WomensRights #WomenInLeadership #GenderEqualityLearn more: ow.ly/aigB50ZXgXJ⸻🇨🇦 18 OCTOBRE | L’AFFAIRE « PERSONNE »Une question qui a changé l’histoire. Une décision qui a ouvert des portes. Un héritage qui nous appelle à agir.Le 18 octobre 1929, une décision historique a confirmé que les femmes étaient des « personnes » au sens de la loi et qu’elles pouvaient être nommées au Sénat du Canada.Cette victoire est le fruit de la détermination des Célèbres cinq : Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney et Irene Parlby, qui ont contesté l’exclusion juridique des femmes de la vie publique.Leur réussite nous rappelle que le progrès commence lorsque des femmes courageuses remettent en question le statu quo et unissent leurs efforts pour le faire évoluer.Cette décision n’a toutefois pas apporté l’égalité à toutes les femmes. Les femmes autochtones et les femmes issues de communautés racisées ont continué de faire face à des obstacles systémiques. L’égalité doit nécessairement inclure toutes les femmes.À BPW Canada, nous honorons l’héritage des Célèbres cinq en poursuivant notre engagement en faveur de la participation, du leadership et de la représentation équitables des femmes dans toutes les sphères de la société.La question n’est plus de savoir si les femmes sont des personnes. C’est de veiller à ce qu’elles disposent des mêmes possibilités, de la représentation et de l’influence auxquelles elles ont droit.#BPWCanada #AffairePersonne #DroitsDesFemmes #LeadershipFéminin #ÉgalitéDesGenresPour en savoir plus : ow.ly/aigB50ZXgXJ ...

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