Peconic Bay Zonta Raises Funds for ESL Scholarships

Peconic Bay Zonta held a successful yard sale in Wading River on October 4, 2025, raising $750. Gathered for a group photo after working the day are members (from left) Barbara Fontana, Diane Greenberg, Betsy Kaplan, Geri Kazenoff, Liala Strotman, Vivian Dadino, Loretta Ogden and Judy Black.

Funds raised will enable Peconic Bay to award two scholarships for women enrolled in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class at Suffolk Community College, Riverhead. All fundraising events support the organization’s mission of improving the lives of women and children both locally and internationally.

Our current projects include donating and volunteering for Blessings Across Long Island, which provides needed weekend food packages for over 500 children in the local area; and supporting The Butterfly Project, which empowers young girls to expand their horizons and attain their dreams.

On the global front, Peconic Bay Zonta contributes to the International Rescue Committee and Climate Resilience for All. We have also started a letter-writing venture with Amnesty International, advocating for female political prisoners.

Peconic Bay is affiliated with Zonta International, which seeks to empower and improve the lives of women and children through service and advocacy.

Peconic Bay's Garden Party Raises Over $3,000

Peconic Bay Zonta's Summer Garden Party was a great success, raising over $3,000 for the local organization, which aims to improve the lives of women and their children.

Peconic Bay member Annika Shapiro (at the microphone) and her husband, Steve Shapiro, hosted the event at their home in Wading River, where an 

entourage of member-chefs made delicious appetizers that were paired with wines from Wines by Nature. Music by guitarist Scott O’Hare set the tone for a delightful evening.

Peconic Bay Zonta thanks friends and guests for their generosity. We also acknowledge these local businesses for their contributions:

– Andrews Family Farm
– Angel Tip Nail Spa
– Bakewicz Farms
– Blue Water Fish

– Boots on the Ground
– Cheese & Spice Market
– DDG Designs
– Desmond’s
– Forte’s Wading River Florist
– La Plage

All helped to make the evening festive and a financial success.

Proceeds from this and all our fund raisers enable Peconic Bay Zonta to support women and children in need. Several current projects include scholarships for women attending English as a Second Language classes at Suffolk County Community College in Riverhead; help to Blessings in a Backpack, which provides over 500 weekend meals for local school children; and the Butterfly Effect Project, which supports and empowers young people to achieve and broaden their horizons.

Peconic Bay Zonta is affiliated with Zonta International, a nonprofit organization that seeks to build a better world for woman and girls both locally and globally.

Peconic Bay’s Newest Members: Judy Black and Barbara Fontana

And now we are 12: Judy Black and Barbara Fontana are Peconic Bay Zonta’s newest members.

Black joined in December 2024. “As a career educator on levels from kindergarten through higher education, I believe that fostering lasting and significant change in the lives of those in need is critical toward advancing strong and resilient communities,” said Black. She added, “I want to be associated with efforts to drive positive change.”

Fontana became a Zontian in June 2025. A retired psychologist with many years of private practice, Fontana joined Peconic Bay because she wanted to be involved in activities that help people.“I believe that it's very important for me to help others, that life is not about acquiring more things,” she said. “It's how I have always tried to live my life.”

Peconic Bay Zonta President Diane Greenberg organized a special luncheon meeting on August 11, 2025, so that Black, Fontana and other members could welcome back Mona Rowe. Rowe lives in Hawaiʻi and participates remotely. She was spending time on eastern Long Island as part of a summer road trip around the continental U.S. to visit family and friends.

From left: Mary Ann Miller (member since 1991), Judy Black (2024), Diane Greenberg (2006), guest Anita Cohen, Mona Rowe (2006), Geri Kazenoff (2020), Barbara Fontana (2025), Annika Shapiro (2016), Betsy Kaplan (2018), Loretta Ogden (2023), Liala Strotman (2012), and Kathy Walker (2010).

Our guest, Anita Cohen, did a Peconic Bay Zonta workshop for the Butterfly Girls back in 2019. “It was wonderful to be with friends I had not seen in a while, and also meet others whom I hadn’t met before,” said Cohen after the meeting. “You are an amazing group of committed and concerned women!”

ESL Scholarship Winners Mayra Medrano and Yamile Zhiminaicela

Mayra Medrano and Yamile Vanessa Moscosa Zhiminaicela are the recipients of the Spring 2025 Peconic Bay ESL Scholarship. This award is presented twice yearly to one or two women who have successfully completed the level 3.4 English as a Second Language course at Suffolk County Community College and have indicated a desire to continue their education and career goals. They have also been highly recommended by their professors for their interest, motivation and academic skills.

Mayra Medrano is congratulated by Peconic Bay members (from left) Diane Greenberg, Geri Kazenoff, Betsy Kaplan and
Mary Ann Miller.

Medrano, married and mother of four young children, plans to continue her studies in business administration, a career path she started in her native country. This will enable her and her husband, a chef, to pursue their dream of establishing a restaurant. She would also like to use her language skills to serve as an interpreter for the students at her college.

Zhiminaicela, the oldest of three children, has a goal of completing college and setting an example for her younger siblings. She is considering nursing as a career but is aware that as she completes her education many doors will open to her and new ideas may evolve.

Yamile Zhiminaicela accepts her scholarship from Mary Ann Miller (left) and Geri Kazenoff.

Diane Loffredo, April 10, 1952 – November 23, 2024

Diane Loffredo had a big heart. She was outgoing, warm and friendly, quick to help others.

A member of Peconic Bay Zonta since 2017, she readily volunteered for service projects and advocacy activities. “Women’s issues are important,” she declared. Here is Diane wearing red to mark Equal Pay Day in 2019. In 2018, women had to work until April 2nd to make the same amount of money as men did.

Diane was a single mom, holding down multiple jobs at a time to make ends meet. She was a bus driver, she worked in a fish store, she sold real estate, she delivered newspapers, and she even wrote ads for newspapers.

Diane was active in the school district where the family lived. She was close to the teachers and served as president of the PTO. She was also very much involved with the Congregational Church in Wading River, where she sang in the choir and made special friends. She loved to sing and  knew all the words to every song.

At some point, she went back to school to become a court reporter. That was Diane’s last job before retiring when her health took a turn for the worse.

Diane was first diagnosed with cancer in 1991. Then came multiple bouts through the years. She battled cancer over and over again. Said her daughter, Sara, “In spite of it all, she lived with a smile and laughter.”

Family and friends are having a celebration of life for Diane Loffredo on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the Wading River Congregational Church.

Peconic Bay Zonta Announces Local Scholarship Winners

Aysel Mortillo and Jackeline Villa are the newest recipients of a $350 scholarship each from Peconic Bay Zonta, a nonprofit organization that seeks to build a better world for women and girls. The local Zonta group awards scholarships to women who have successfully completed the level 3 English as a Second Language (ESL) course at Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) and have demonstrated an academic intent focused on a career goal.

Aysel Mortillo

Seven years ago, Mortillo emigrated from Turkey with her husband and toddler son, taking up residence in Greenport. She has been concurrently pursuing a master’s degree through long-distance education provided by the Faculty of Agriculture in Turkey along with continuing her education in the United States. She holds a college degree from the Faculty of Agriculture and had worked as an engineer for nine years before emigrating. Here in the U.S., Mortillo's goal is to transition into a nursing career. Her ESL classes at SCCC have afforded her the needed language skills and confidence to continue her education and career journey.

Villa, emigrating to the United States two years ago, has used her new language skills as a group leader working with children at Project Most in East Hampton, an after-school Saturday and summer program that coincides with the typical hours of working parents. Her language classes and work experience have put her on track to achieve her goal as a kindergarten teacher.

The members of Peconic Bay Zonta commend and are proud to aid and support the goals of the ESL winners in their pursuit of knowledge, career and community service.

President Biden Declares the ERA the Law of the Land!

On January 17, 2025, President Joe Biden issued the following statement from the White House: "I supported the Equal Rights Amendment for more than 50 years, and I have long been clear that no one should be discriminated against based on their sex. We, as a nation, must affirm and protect women's full equality once and for all."