The Killings of Young Mothers

The Killings of Young Mothers. That is the title of an opinion piece published in The New York Times. It's disturbing.

Most violence against women is committed by their husbands or intimate partners. Although homicides are not generally classified as pregnancy related, a woman's pregnancy has often played a part. And in these cases, the killer is often a husband or boyfriend.

As reported in The NY Times, the stress and emotional turmoil of a pregnancy can exacerbate an already abusive relationship.

That is what happened to 20-year-old Markitha Sinegal, new mother of twin baby girls. Her boyfriend, father of the twins, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The Times piece outlines potential interventions: gun control, access to contraceptions and to safe and affordable abortions, screening for intimate partner violence during obstetric visits, and connecting young women to victims' advocates. Also recommended are educational approaches, such as teaching young people what dangerous relationships look like.

Starting on November 25 and ending December 10, Zontians around the world are campaigning against gender-based violence. Look up "The Killing of Young Mothers," December 9, 2024, in The New York Times. Read Ms. Sinegal's story.

Ask Annika!

Ask Annika Shapiro why she's wearing orange and she will tell you about the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

From November 25 – December 10, Zonta women wear orange to show solidarity in opposition to violence against women.

Child marriage is another form of gender-based violence. This crime is happening everywhere. Some European countries have the loophole of parental consent. In the U.S., 37 states still allow for children under 18 to be married. Iraq's parliament is currently preparing a legislative change to allow marriage with a 9-year-old girl. Every 10 minutes, 229 girls are married.

Will you wear orange, too?

Zonta Says NO from Hawaiʻi

Peconic Bay member Mona Rowe (orange scarf), Logan Rowe (left) and Lindsay Aubrey give a shout-out to Zonta during the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence.

They stand at a Zonta Says NO sign put up by the Zonta Club of Kauaʻi, in Hawaiʻi.

Here's a shocking statistic: a woman is killed every 10 minutes. The United Nations reports that in 2023, approximately 51,100 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members. For more facts and figures, click here.

Rowe was on the island of Kauaʻi during the Thanksgiving holiday to visit family and friends. "Ask me why I'm wearing orange," she said, engaging folks in a conversation about violence against women and girls. Orange symbolizes a brighter future, one free of violence.

Peconic Bay Zonta Offers Support to Victims of Domestic Violence

To mark Zonta International's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, November 25 through December 10, Peconic Bay Zonta has donated $250 to The Retreat, a nonprofit agency in East Hampton, NY, that provides safety, shelter and support for victims of domestic abuse. Peconic Bay’s donation will provide counseling for a survivor.

Violence against women is a widespread problem. Thirty percent of women worldwide report they have experienced physical or sexual violence by their intimate partner. Here's another disturbing statistic: 73 percent of women journalists have experienced online violence in the course of their work, including threats of physical and sexual violence. Then there's female genital cutting, child marriage and human trafficking – all forms of violence against women and girls.

 

Calling attention to this international epidemic, Peconic Bay members are wearing orange during the 16 days of activism, the signature color of this campaign. As a bright and optimistic color, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls.

 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. Help is available 24/7/365.

Finding Solace in Art

The recent presidential election cycle was brutal for many of us in the United States, no matter which political position we each held.

Alicia Parrott turned to art to find solace. She was inspired by the concession speech given by Kamala Harris to create this piece (at right).

A print and digital designer as well as an accomplished artist, Parrott is the daughter of Peconic Bay Zonta President Diane Greenberg. Parrott wholeheartedly supports the Zonta mission of building a better place for women and children, readily volunteering her talents and skills on behalf of Peconic Bay Zonta.

At her first art show earlier this year, in New York City during a celebration of Women's History Month, Parrott said, "My work is meant to inspire dialogue about the importance of gender equality and female empowerment."

See her poster for Peconic Bay, which was voted "Best In Show" at a Zonta district meeting in 2023.

Parrott also designed a bookmark that features the tagline "Zonta says NO to violence against women."

In a few days, Zonta chapters around the world will participate in the "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence" campaign, which runs from November 25 through December 10 every year. Stay tuned!

Happy 105th Birthday to Zonta International!

Today, November 8, 2024, Zonta International celebrates 105 years of service and advocacy to build a better world for women and girls.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Zonta!

Also this year, Peconic Bay Zonta marks our 35th anniversary as the Zonta chapter serving eastern Long Island, NY.

Smiles All Around at Peconic Bay’s Yard Sale

Peconic Bay members (from left) Diane Greenberg, Geri Kazenoff, Betsy Kaplan, Loretta Ogden and Vivian Daddino are all smiles.

Why the smiles? Everyone looks lovely wearing newly acquired scarves from Peconic Bay's yard sale, on October 6, 2024. But most of all, we had all worked hard and the day was a big success, thanks to great teamwork and sisterhood.

Special kudos to member and photographer Kathy Walker, who hosted the event, which brought in over $700.

Geri (second from left) is flanked by three generations of Ogdens, (from left) mom Loretta and, visiting from New York City, granddaughter Linda and daughter Emma. The photo below shows some of the day's shoppers.