Peconic Bay Zonta: Brenda Vasquez Awarded ESL Scholarship

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Brenda Vasquez Awarded ESL Scholarship

Peconic Bay Zonta has awarded Brenda Vasquez (center) a $350 ESL Scholarship. Vasquez is enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Suffolk County Community College, Riverhead. The program helps students improve their English proficiency.

A native of El Salvador, Vasquez is the mother of two children. She said that going back to school after raising her children inspired her "to continue and not give up." It's never too late, she added.

Now a farmer, Vasquez wants to become a professional. Through education, she hopes to discover a career that fits with her passion of helping people. She's always happy to help!

Peconic Bay Zonta members Mary Ann Miller (left) and Liala Strotman congratulate Brenda Vasquez.

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Welcome to Peconic Bay

Welcome to Peconic Bay Zonta, which is affiliated with Zonta International. The members of Peconic Bay Zonta work to empower women and girls through service and advocacy. We are always looking for new members who share our passion for thinking globally and acting locally. Get involved!

Peconic Bay Zonta encompasses the eastern end of Long Island, New York. We are based in Riverhead, situated at the mouth of the Peconic River, where it empties into the Peconic Bay. East of Riverhead are the North and South Forks of Long Island, jutting like fingers into the Atlantic Ocean.

Eastern Long Island boasts spectacular ocean beaches, lovely bays and picturesque country roads dotted with farm stands. Indeed, the Hamptons is a well-known playground for the rich and famous.

But based on the collective knowledge of our Peconic Bay Zonta members, we know that our eastern end of the island is unique in another way: We lack affordable housing and public transportation. We see deep poverty amidst great wealth. We hear about feelings of isolation from those who live out here doing the service jobs that support the wealthy.

Peconic Bay Zonta can help.

Interested in more information?
Send an email to peconicbayzonta@gmail.com

Club History

The Zonta Club of Peconic Bay is named for the large bay that splits eastern Long Island into the north and south forks, jutting like arms into the Atlantic Ocean.

Peconic Bay Zonta was originally chartered in 1989 under the name Zonta Club of Eastern Suffolk Area. In 2005, the members decided to relocate the club’s base further west to be inclusive of a broader region. For that rebirth, Zonta District 3 and the Zonta Club of Suffolk County helped by sponsoring and mentoring us. We are now based in Riverhead, NY, where the mouth of the Peconic River meets Peconic Bay.

In the club’s history, we have engaged in numerous and varied activities in support of women and girls.

Highlights:
* Fund ESL scholarships at Suffolk County Community College for returning adult women students at the eastern campus in Riverhead, a sustained effort since 2013, awarding the scholarship twice a year starting in 2014
* Support Butterfly Effect Project, a Riverhead-based nonprofit community group that works to empower girls
* Fund music scholarship for Margarita Basurto at East End Arts in Riverhead, supporting her with year-round violin lessons
* Network and collaborate with Brookhaven Women in Science at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Women in Science and Engineering at Stony Brook University
* Partner with other Area 1 clubs: in recent years, for Equal Pay Day; on the horizon, LUNAFEST
* Collaborate with Mayan Hands, a fair-trade organization that supports Mayan women artisans in Guatemala
* Sponsored a children’s room at The Retreat, a shelter for victims of domestic violence
* Awarded scholarships for students invited to participate in the Dowling College Summer Aviation Scholarship Program for Young Women
* Prepared turkey dinners for Maureen’s Haven Homeless Outreach Program

In the 2018-2020 Zonta International biennial, we honored Tijuana Fulford, Founder/Executive Director of the Butterfly Effect Project. The Butterfly Effect Project helps girls develop self-confidence and academic skills. “You are the author of your own book,” says Fulford, “so let’s make sure it’s something you’re proud to read aloud.”

Peconic Bay has sponsored several activities for the Butterfly girls. As part of a series of fun and educational workshops, members Betsy Kaplan, Liala Strotman, Vivian Daddino and Diane Greenberg organized an evening with younger girls to demonstrate specialized exercises to develop better concentration, relaxation, learning skills and emotional well-being.

Other notables:
* Former member Kay Jones, now living in North Carolina, served as Area 1 Director. She also was in charge of registration for the Zonta International Convention in New York City, 2004.
* Isabella Sorgi, Peconic Bay Zonta’s nominee for the Young Woman in Public Affairs Award, won the YWPA Award at the Zonta District 3 level

At its peak, during the years as Eastern Suffolk, club membership was in the 20s. We have been stable since 2005 at eight to 10 members, with each member an active participant in club affairs. Our goal is 12 members (see membership plan below). This number is ideal since a group of that size can fit around a table and hear each other.

Peconic Bay Zonta has a collective knowledge of our community, and we support activities that address social justice for women and girls. While the eastern end of Long Island is noted for spectacular scenery and wealthy communities, not everyone participates. The members of Peconic Bay embrace Zonta’s mission to empower women and girls through advocacy, service and community activities.

Peconic Bay Zonta is in District 3, Area 1. The club number is 1261. For more information about District 3, go to: www.zontadistrict3.org

Zonta International

Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions dedicated to improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women. Over 30,000 members belong to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 66 countries all over the world. Individual Zonta clubs extend membership invitations to local leaders in business and the professions. Zonta takes its name from the Lakota Sioux Indian word meaning “honest and trustworthy.” Zontians volunteer their time, talents and energy to local and international service projects that are designed to advance the status of women.

Marian de Forest (1864-1935), of Buffalo, New York, founded Zonta in 1919. She was inducted to the National Women’s Hall of Fame on 2002. She was a strong proponent of the arts. De Forest became one of the first female reporters in Western New York and rose to become a drama critic and department editor.

Visit the Zonta International website to see what the organization offers: www.zonta.org.

Membership Plan
2025 - 2026

Overview
At present, Peconic Bay Zonta has 12 members. Our goal is to retain membership between ten and twelve. Additionally, we will seek to attract and recruit younger members.

Peconic Bay Zonta is located in a relatively rural region, and our geographical area is large, covering the entire East End of Long Island, both north and south forks. This five-year membership plan will be revisited annually.

Recruitment
* Continue to emphasize the importance of members being actively involved in recruitment.
* Issue news releases about our local service projects with a brief description of Peconic Bay Zonta and a link to our website.
* Coordinate service events with local groups and businesses to attract new members.
* Ensure that potential recruits understand the financial and time commitment required for members.
* Continually update Peconic Bay Zonta’s website.
* Create an email list of all supporters. During activities, take attendees’ contact information in order to keep them apprised of upcoming projects and functions.

Retention / Rejuvenation
Non-active and Former Members
* Ask non-active members if there is any activity that they would like to include in the club’s agenda that would precipitate their participation.
* If they are interested, invite former members to club functions.

Active and New Members
* Co-chairs will mentor all new members.
* Provide information about the club to prospective and new members through our website as well as material from Zonta International.
* Keep active members abreast of club’s information through emailed minutes of monthly meetings.
* Conduct a membership discussion at least once yearly to assess areas of effectiveness and areas that need improvement.
* Share and appreciate the efforts of each member.
* Ensure that everyone recognizes that the entire group must participate by having everyone in an office or in charge of a function or event. Incorporate as many member ideas as possible.
* Keep meetings short, engaging, productive and reflective of the passions of the membership.
* Create a rhythm to the year by repeating activities and working with past partners. After evaluation, terminate any project that no longer serves the group’s mission.

– Vivian Daddino and Loretta Ogden, Membership Co-chairs

Peconic Bay Zonta

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Brenda Vasquez Awarded ESL Scholarship

No comments:

Search

Welcome to Peconic Bay

Club History

Members

Friends of Peconic Bay

Followers

Zonta International

Membership Plan
2025 - 2026

Peconic Bay Zonta

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Brenda Vasquez Awarded ESL Scholarship

No comments:

Search

Welcome to Peconic Bay

Club History

Members

Friends of Peconic Bay

Followers

Zonta International

Membership Plan 2025 - 2026

Membership Plan
2025 - 2026