MEDIA RELEASE

Mele Spencer

Mele Spencer of Hilo was elected to the Zonta International – District 9 Board, covering Arizona, California, Hawaii, one city on the Mexican border, Nevada, and Utah. Spencer will represent Hawaii’s six Zonta Clubs for 2010-2012.

Kathleen Nielsen, President of the Zonta Club of Hilo said Spencer follows “a long line of Hilo Zontians who have assumed duties at the district level. Her leadership will insure the direct link between Zonta International, District 9 and the Hawaii Zonta Clubs.”
“In this austere time,” Spencer said, “women and children are the most likely to be affected by economic turndown. Zontians must focus resources on those in need and continue to advocate for them.”

Spencer and her spouse, Joseph, operate a plant and tree farm in Pana’ewa Hawaiian Homes Farm Lots. She is the president of the Keaukaha Pana’ewa Farmers Association, and is a former program manager for USDA, Rural Development. She has been a member of Zonta Club of Hilo for 12 years.

Zonta International and its local clubs advance the status of women around the world through service and advocacy. Individual clubs develop local programs and priorities that are consistent with the overall goals of Zonta International.

The Zonta Club of Hilo provides four annual scholarships, participates in a variety of projects including support of robotic programs in our schools, Hale Ohana shelter, Weinberg Friends program and advocates on issues affecting women. This year the Hilo chapter is focusing on a Weinberg project at the Neighborhood Place of Puna, to help women in need. The club is one of 1,200 clubs with 31,000 members worldwide in 67 countries and areas.

Zonta International is a recognized NGO with United Nation status and supports service projects in Rwanda, Guatemala, El Salvador and Liberia. The organization raises more than $3 million annually to support international projects.

Membership is available to executives and professionals committed to advancing the status of women through service and advocacy. Information on Zonta International and the Zonta Club of Hilo can be found on www.zonta.org or www.zontadistrict9.org, or calling Ellen Aoki, membership chair, at 808-959-9098.