Zonta District 15, which serves Michigan and part of Canada, awarded past Otsego Foundation Youth Advisory Committee President Hannah Johnston this year’s Young Women in Public Affairs Award. Congratulations, Hannah!
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 volunteerism, and providing evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
The application process starts with a local Zonta club. For the upcoming year, women who are eligible to apply will be 16-19 years old on April 1st of 2021, live in a Zonta district/region, be citizens of a Zonta country and demonstrate evidence of the following:
- Active commitment to volunteerism
- Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid)
- Volunteer leadership achievements
- Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs
- Support in Zonta International’s mission of empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy
The Zonta Club of Gaylord presented the 2020 local YWPA award to Hannah Johnston, a graduate of Gaylord High School. Her application was then sent to the district and international levels. Hannah’s outstanding service to her community – including service as President of the Youth Advisory Committee of the Otsego Community Foundation, mentoring youth, work at a local food pantry, counseling children at a bereavement camp, volunteering at an adult day care, and also service to Zonta – demonstrate her leadership skills and commitment to empowering women where she lives and works. Hannah plans to attend CMU in the fall and would like to become a physician. Well done, Hannah!