Say NO to Violence Against Women: Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in the world, generating $236 billion annually, according to the International Labour Organization.

Simply put, human trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit.

Human trafficking is a crime in nearly every country around the globe to force a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. Women and girls are overwhelmingly the victims of sex trafficking. They are also victims of involuntary domestic servitude and forced marriages. In areas of armed conflict, forced marriages are especially prevalent, and minority women are usually common targets.

In the U.S., it happens in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia. Cases have been reported in urban, suburban and rural areas across the country.

Ten years ago, Peconic Bay sponsored a program on human trafficking. The speaker was Pat Latona, a Zonta International representative to the United Nations and member of the UN Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons. (Click here to learn about Latona’s presentation in 2015.)

Pat Latona takes questions after her presentation
on human trafficking in 2015.

Here’s what Latona has to say about human trafficking today. “As the world shrinks the horrific crime of human trafficking expands. Traffickers have readily leveraged the proliferation of modern technology and financial systems to maximize profits and reduce the risk of detection. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, sexual exploitation accounts for 50 percent of detected victims and 23 percent of forced labor victims.”

She continues, “One of the more heinous forms of exploitation is child sex trafficking, now on the rise. It begins when traffickers gain easy access to gaming platforms, social media platforms and other digital spaces where children and teens congregate. And it is here the 'grooming' begins. Traffickers methodically gain the teen or child’s trust, creating a friendly relationship which becomes romantic and then sexual. The child or teen is now 'groomed' to share intimate pictures which the groomer uses to exhort more to blackmail the child and in many cases distributes them on hosting sites.”

The consequences to these children who have been victimized is profound, says Latona. She adds, “As this exploitation increasingly develops it is crucial that children, teens, parents, educators and caregivers be made aware of the tools and techniques used by perpetrators in order to spot the signs early on and intercept immediately. It is also crucial that online platforms that host children are held accountable.”

Human Trafficking National Hotline: 888.373.7888

Say NO to Violence Against Women: Child Marriage

New York Times opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof asks, “Why do we allow child marriage in America?”

Kristof has been writing about this issue since 2017, when, after criticizing the practice abroad, he realized that child marriage – marriage before age 18 – was legal in all 50 states. In 2018, Delaware and New Jersey became the first states to ban child marriage. Today, it’s banned in 16 states. With 34 still to go, that’s slow progress.

If more people know about the victims, perhaps change would come sooner. In 2017, Kristof wrote about Sherry Johnson, who was married in Florida at the age of 11 to a 20-year-old deacon in her church. He had raped her. In fact, she had already been raped by the church bishop. A judge approved the marriage to end the rape investigation. Johnson recalled the judge telling her, “What we want is for you to get married.”

California, Mississippi, New Mexico and Oklahoma set no minimum age at all, with the consent of a parent, a judge, or both. The minimum age is 17 in some states that allow child marriages, such as Florida. In many others, the minimum age is 16. In two states, Hawaiʻi and Kansas, the minimum age is 15.

Think back to when you were 15 years old. You couldn’t vote, buy alcohol or tobacco, or enter into certain contracts. But you could have a baby. Sherry Johnson gave birth to her first child at age 10.

Say NO to Violence Against Women: Doxing

Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations. Doxing is a form of digital violence. It’s when someone shares your personal information online in order to scare you, humiliate you or encourage others to harm you.

Women are more likely to be victims of doxing and other forms of online violence. And women in public life, like journalists, entertainers and politicians, are especially vulnerable.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi was a central figure in the Capitol riot of January 6, 2021. On October 28, 2022, David DePape broke into Nancy Pelosi’s house. Nancy was not home that night. But her husband Paul was, and he managed to call 911.

Police respond and find the two men struggling with a hammer. DePape wins control and hits Paul, fracturing his skull. Later, a police investigator asks DePape if he knows why he’s in custody. He says, “Absolutely.” He claims that Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats committed crimes to steal the election from Donald Trump. Then he says, “I was going to hold her hostage and get her to tell the truth. If she didn't tell the truth, I'd break her kneecaps.”

Because Nancy Pelosi is an elected official – she served as the 52nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives, serving from 2007-2011 and again from 2019-2023 – her home address is in the public record. But DePape’s attack was deliberate. In the weeks leading up to it, he did internet searches to collect information about her and her family. He had images of her home.

What can all of us do about it?

• Keep your usernames private.
• Use a unique username for each platform.
• Avoid doing online quizzes and filling out app permissions.
• Don’t share personal information.

Final word: Online privacy is becoming harder and harder to preserve as we all connect more and more on the internet. So take a few extra steps to protect your personal information.

Say NO to Violence Against Women

The global scale of violence against women is staggering. Nearly 1 in 3 –  30 percent – of women worldwide have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence.

According to the United Nations, this number has not changed in 20 years.

From November 25 to December 10, Zonta International will launch a 16-day campaign to say NO to violence against women. Peconic Bay Zonta will join over 1,000 Zonta clubs in 63 countries and geographic areas to raise awareness of this human rights violation.

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!”