Women of substance

The Zonta Club of Bombay III is a part of Zonta International, a non-governmental, non-political and non-sectarian worldwide service organization of business executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women. This year it presented the Woman of the Year Award 2012 to Dr Shazneen Limjerwala, a psychotherapist and activist, for making a positive difference to the lives of women subjected to social and economic abuse, at its 33rd charter anniversary celebration on March 24, 2012 in Bombay. Sishna Anand, a student of the Helen Keller Institute for Deaf and Deaf Blind, received the Encouragement Award for her skills in computer training and teaching, notes a write-up received by Parsiana from Freny F. Paghdiwala, past president of the Club.

The Club also recognized the sterling contribution of Zonta members by presenting the Best Zontian award for the Biennium 2012-2012 to Firuza Sena and an award to Roshni Meherhomji for Personal Involvement during the same period.

(Top, from left): Dr Shazneen Limjerwala, Man­-jistha Bhatt, Zarine Khambatta, Ste­-phanie Woodard and Sishna Anand; (below, left): Firuza Sana, Khambatta, Roshni Meherhomji; (below) Limjerwala receiving award from Bhatt

"Today women juggle multiple roles and have become women of substance. Gender equality and freedom are good for humanity. When you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” said chief guest Manjistha Mukherjee Bhatt, regional director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, while releasing the Trimurti Bulletin of the Zonta Club of Bombay III on the occasion. Guest of honor Stephanie Woodard, vice consul at the American Consulate General in Bombay complimented Zonta International for its worldwide contribution toward gender equality. She observed that today women are contributing to the economy and global markets in developing countries.