‘Rare honour’ recognises advocacy for all women

The 1978 charter presented to Val Sarah, charter president of the Zonta Club of Ballarat (right), by Zonta International president-elect, Dr Shirley Schneider of Springfield, Illinois in 1979. Photos: SUPPLIED

ZONTA Club of Ballarat’s original and current charter president, Val Sarah has received Zonta International’s Meritorious Service Award for ongoing local and global advocacy for women.

Ms Sarah has had many roles since she joined ZI in 1978, including ZI president, governor of Australia and New Zealand’s District 16, international relations chair, and a seat on the board, always working to address women’s education and literacy, health, human rights as women’s rights, women and ageing, and the environment.

Val Sarah with infants at Casa Daya. The Zonta Metropolitano shelter shared life skills with mother-girls from Mexico City streets, and helped them raise their babies.

The award, accepted via webinar, is a “rare honour.” Ms Sarah said she’s fortunate to have had “unparalleled” chances to serve women and meet like-minded people.

“We offer support and opportunities to women of outstanding ability, and women who are marginalised, impoverished and voiceless,” she said.

“I’ve attended Zonta meetings, large and small, in so many countries around the world, and the second you arrive, you’re with family. I have had a lot of fun along the way.”

Val Sarah at the Prime Minister’s Lodge in Canberra on International Women’s Day, 1988.

Contributing to ZI globally since 1982, Ms Sarah’s highlights include meeting infants of mother-girls in Mexico City, helping to charter Japan’s Zonta Club of Otsu, sourcing archival records for ZI’s 80th Anniversary History book, and sitting on the Centennial Anniversary Endowment Committee, currently working to raise $10 million USD.

Ms Sarah is grateful for the support of her daughters, Virginia Sarah and Olivia Sarah-Le Lacheur.

“My girls have been absolutely vital in active encouragement.”