Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada
2023 Bursary/Award Winners
What an inspiring 2023 Annual Zonta Awards Reception we had recognizing the impressive accomplishments of women in the National Capital Region in public affairs, higher education, business, STEM, and the theatre arts!
Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada
2023 Young Women in Public Affairs – Valene Musyimi & Kaelyn Aldridge
Recognized for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes.
Left: (winner) Kaelyn Aldridge, Lauren Nagel of Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada. The Zonta Member pictured was also on the selection committee for this award.
Left: The mother of Valene Musyimi (winner), receiving the award on her behalf, Lauren Nagel of Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada. The Zonta Member pictured was also on the selection committee for this award.
Our club was thrilled to award our annual Theatre Arts “Drama” Award to Gwenith Kikkawa and Daniella Bell, both students at the University of Ottawa!
We can’t wait to see their future artistic endeavours!
Left: Valerie Knowles, Prem Grainger, (winner) Gwenith Kikkawa, Cynthia O’Neil of Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada. The Zonta Members pictured were also on the selection committee for this award.
Left: Prem Grainger (Past President), Cynthia O’Neil (Past President), and (winner) Daniella Bell. The Zonta Members pictured were also on the selection committee for this award (missing from picture Valerie Knowles).
Sprott Students Awarded Scholarships for Women in Business and Women in STEM
Award recipients Shahrzad Kahrizi and Aanya Baindur (centre) pictured with Sprott School of Business and Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada representatives.
Sprott School of Business Bachelor of Commerce student Aanya Baindur and Technology Innovation and Management (TIM) Master’s student Shahrzad Kahrizi were recognized at the Zonta Club of Ottawa’s 23rd Annual Women’s Empowerment Awards.
Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada
2023 Women in STEM Scholarship – Shahrzad Kahrizi
Shahrzad Kahrizi, a Master of Entrepreneurship candidate in the TIM program, is the inaugural recipient of the Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship, a new scholarship designed to encourage women to pursue education, career opportunities, and leadership roles in information technology.
An international student from Iran with a background in Industrial Engineering, Shahrzad is a research assistant in the Cross-Border Digital Inclusive Entrepreneurship Center at Sprott. Her research focuses on cross-border entrepreneurial opportunities, innovation community building and revenue generation opportunities for the center.
“For a new immigrant like me, it is important to have clubs and associations like Zonta that support women, especially in entrepreneurship and in areas like science and technology. I am very thankful for this award,” said Shahrzad during her acceptance speech.
Left: Kirsten North, (President), CJ Blake (Past President), Shahrzad Kahrizi (winner), with Renuka Gamage (Vice President) of Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada. The Zonta Members pictured were also on the selection committee for this award.
Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada
2023 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship – Aanya Baindur
Aanya Baindur, who recently completed her second year of Sprott’s Bachelor of Commerce program, received the 2023 Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship, which helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers.
“As a transgender woman of color in the world of business, I am acutely aware of the unique challenges we face, but this scholarship award reminds me that our voices are powerful, our stories are valuable, and our contributions are essential,” stated Aanya as she accepted her award. “Thank you to the Sprott School of Business for empowering me to go out there and turn my dreams into reality. Where others offered doubt, Sprott offered only encouragement.”
Aanya is an active advocate for equality and inclusion as director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the Sprott Business Students’ Society. She also founded a non-profit organization, Trans Advice Initiative, which aims to help transgender and gender-questioning individuals discover identity and seek support during their journey.
Both scholarships are awarded by Zonta Club of Ottawa in the amount of CAD$1,000. Shahrzad and Aanya’s applications are nominated for the district competition for a chance to receive an award of US$5,000 from Zonta International.
Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada
2023 Bursary/Award Winners
| Names | Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada (ZCO CA)
2023 Awards/Bursaries |
School, College, University |
| U-Ottawa <> winner: Miray Albetar | ZCO CA ‘Mature University Student Bursary’ | University of Ottawa |
| Carleton-U <> winner: Ines Takyi | ZCO CA ‘Mature University Student Bursary’ | Carleton University |
| Daniella Bell | ZCO CA Theatre Arts ‘Drama’ Bursary | University of Ottawa |
| Gwenith Kikkawa | ZCO CA Theatre Arts ‘Drama’ Bursary | University of Ottawa |
| Valene Munanie Musymi | ZCO CA #1. Young Women in Public Affairs Award | Immaculata High School |
| Kaelyn Margaret Aldridge | ZCO CA #2. Young Women in Public Affairs Award | Sir Robert Borden High School |
| Aanya Baindur | ZCO CA Jane M Klausman (Women in Business) | Carleton University |
| Shahrzad Kahrizi | ZCO CA Women in STEM Scholarship | Carleton University |
| Christelle Mbenga | ZCO CA New Immigrant Woman Award | Collège La Cité |
2022 Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada Award Winners!
‘ZCO CA’ Jean M. Coon (Humanitarian) Award
Committee Chair: Valerie Hume & Members: Shirley Mack, Lauren Nagel.
Jean M. Coon (Humanitarian) Award: Given to a high school student who demonstrates exceptional humanitarian community service.
#1. ‘ZCO CA’ Jean M. Coon <> 1st Winner: Debbie Zhao
#2. ‘ZCO CA’ Jean M. Coon <> 2nd Winner: Elise MacCaull
‘ZCO CA’ Young Women in Public Affairs Award
Committee Chair: Valerie Hume; & Members: Shirley Mack, Lauren Nagel.
Young Women in Public Affairs Award: Since 1990, the club has given an award to recognize pre-university and pre-college female students who are committed to leadership in public policy, government and/or volunteer organizations.
‘ZCO CA’ YWPA winner: no winner this year
‘ZCO CA’ Mature University Students Bursary Award (U-Ottawa & Carleton-U)
Committee Chair: Valerie Knowles; & Members: Annegret Uhthoff, Sylvie Begin, Denise Esdon.
Mature University Students Award (U-Ottawa & Carleton University):
Typically two bursaries are given to students who have had to interrupt their studies for formal education for medical, financial or other reasons, and are returning to complete their programs, this year we have one winner.
‘ZCO CA’ Mature University Student Winner from U-Ottawa: Shauna Malcolm
‘ZCO CA’ Jane M. Klausman (Women in Business) Award
Committee Chair: Renuka Gamage & Members: Cindy O’Neil and Kirsten North
Jane M. Klausman (Women in Business) Award: This Scholarship is awarded annually to a woman pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree in business management at a university in the National Capital Region (NCR).
‘ZCO CA’ Jane M. Klausman Award winner: no winner this year
‘ZCO CA’ New Immigrant Woman (Education) Award
Committee Chair: Prem Grainger & Members: Christina Hasley, Joanne Williams and Sandra Konji
New Immigrant Woman (Education) Award: The award is given to a newcomer who is a resident of Ottawa/Gatineau, is a single mother and is raising a family while working on her own education at any level, this year we have three winners.
#1. ‘ZCO CA’ New Immigrant Education Award winner: Nancy Marie Tshota
#2. ‘ZCO CA’ New Immigrant Education Award winner: Zahra Jafari
#3. ‘ZCO CA’ New Immigrant Education Award winner: Vivian Ejiogu
‘ZCO CA’ Theatre Arts ‘Drama’ Bursary Award
Committee Chair: Cindy O’Neil; & Members: Paula Zoubek, Val Knowles & Prem Grainger
Theatre Arts Bursary Award: Scholarships are awarded annually to women in the NCR who are currently enrolled in a post- secondary theatre program. These awards enable talented and qualified young women to achieve their professional goals, this year we have 2 winners.
#1. ‘ZCO CA’ Theatre Arts ‘Drams’ Award winner: Amélie Trottier
#2. ‘ZCO CA’ Theatre Arts ‘Drama’ Award winner: Valery Drapeau
2021 Zonta Club of Ottawa, Canada Award Winners!
‘ZCO CA’ Young Women in Public Affairs Award
Committee Chair: Valerie Hume; & Members: Shirley Mack, Lauren Nagel.
Young Women in Public Affairs Award: Since 1990, the club has given an award to recognize pre-university and pre-college female students who are committed to leadership in public policy, government and/or volunteer organizations.
‘ZCO CA’ YWPA winner: Ivy Le
‘ZCO CA’ Jean M. Coon (Humanitarian) Award
Committee Chair: Valerie Hume & Members: Shirley Mack, Lauren Nagel.
Jean M. Coon (Humanitarian) Award: Given to a high school student who demonstrates exceptional humanitarian community service.
‘ZCO CA’ Jean M. Coon Winner: Tasneem Alnahhas
*Tasneem Alnahhas has won at the Zonta District 2 Level
‘ZCO CA’ Mature University Students Bursary Award (U-Ottawa & Carleton-U)
Committee Chair: Valerie Knowles; & Members: Annegret Uhthoff, Sylvie Begin, Denise Esdon.
Mature University Students Award (U-Ottawa & Carleton University):
Typically two bursaries are given to students who have had to interrupt their studies for formal education for medical, financial or other reasons, and are returning to complete their programs, this year we have three winners.
#1. ‘ZCO CA’ Mature University Student Winner from Carleton University: Julie Cho
#2. ‘ZCO CA’ Mature University Student Winner from Carleton University: Linda Cho
#3. ‘ZCO CA’ Mature University Student Winner from U-Ottawa: Joseline Seumen Nkouatchah
‘ZCO CA’ Jane M. Klausman (Women in Business) Award
Committee Chair: Renuka Gamage & Members: Sophia Wright & Cindy O’Neil
Jane M. Klausman (Women in Business) Award: This Scholarship is awarded annually to a woman pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree in business management at a university in the National Capital Region (NCR).
‘ZCO CA’ Jane M. Klausman Award winner: Josée Lachance (Carleton University)
‘ZCO CA’ New Immigrant Woman (Education) Award
Committee Chair: Prem Grainger & Members: Christina Hasley, Joanne Williams.
New Immigrant Woman (Education) Award: The award is given to a newcomer who is a resident of Ottawa/Gatineau, is a single mother and is raising a family while working on her own education at any level, this year we have two winners.
#1. ‘ZCO CA’ New Immigrant Award winner: Gloria Rwobahirya
#2. ‘ZCO CA’ New Immigrant Award winner: Pegah Younesi
‘ZCO CA’ Theatre Arts ‘Drama’ Bursary Award
Committee Chair: Cindy O’Neil; & Members: Paula Zoubek, Val Knowles & Prem Grainger
Theatre Arts Bursary Award: Scholarships are awarded annually to women in the NCR who are currently enrolled in a post- secondary theatre program. These awards enable talented and qualified young women to achieve their professional goals, this year we have 2 winners.
#1. ‘ZCO CA’ Theatre Arts Award winner: Caity Smyck
#2. ‘ZCO CA’ Theatre Arts Award winner: Ashley Barnes