Peconic Bay Zontians Orange the World

 

Top to bottom, Peconic Bay Zontians Annika Shapiro, Mary Ann Miller and Mona Rowe wear orange for the UNESCO "Orange the World" campaign to end violence against women and girls.

The color orange symbolizes a brighter future, free of violence.

Violence against women and girls is one of the most persistent, widespread and devastating human rights violations today. It affects women regardless of age, background or level of education. This violence takes many forms, including physical, sexual or psychological violence, as well as economic abuse and exploitation.

The 16 days between November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and December 10, Human Rights Day, is a time for Zontians around the world to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls.

Rowe lives in Hawaiʻi. In setting up the photo on the beach with an orange scarf, she was passed by a woman with a dog, who came up to say hello with a wagging tail. Rowe noted the woman was wearing orange shorts and explained to her the significance of the orange scarf she was carrying and Zonta's 16-day campaign to end violence against women and girls.

The woman listened attentively and said she was getting goosebumps thinking about Zonta's campaign. It was a special moment.

A note about Rowe's orange scarf: In 2015, Peconic Bay member Liala Strotman was at the United Nations in New York City to mark the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. She acquired the orange scarf and passed it on to Rowe, who wears orange every year during the campaign.