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!”