USA Caucus

Zonta USA is a “caucus”, a group of Zonta Districts with clubs in the USA, coordinating on aligned issues for political purposes.  
Zonta is a membership organization, with clubs worldwide, with a mission to build a better world for women and girls.

Zonta has more than 300 clubs in the USA over 40 states, divided into 15 districts. The USA “caucus” brings those independent local clubs together to advocate for policies at the national or state level to improve the lives of women and girls.

USA Caucus Goals

Encourage development, consideration and passage of appropriate legislation and policies by

the US Congress, its members and committees 
by state legislatures
Local entities.

Take action in support of, or in opposition to, proposed or enacted legislation and executive orders and regulations that directly or indirectly impact the lives of women and girls.

Promote women’s representation in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men.

Resources, Articles, News and Updates

Women’s Equality Day ERA Actions

Plan for Women’s Equality Day Aug 26th –  ACT for the ERA Aug 26th Read the [...]

15
Aug
ABA adopts resolution to end Child Marriage in the USA
August 6, 2026

At its August 2026 Annual Conference, the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates adopted [...]

UNFPA and UN Women Assessing potential Merger- Analysis Report

From the report introduction: the Secretary-General commissioned an assessment of “the benefits of a merger [...]

06
Aug
Aug. 26th; Women’s Equality Day- Read the Declaration on your Capitol or CourtHouse steps

Women’s Equality Day Aug 26th  ACT for the ERA Read the Women’s Declaration of Independence [...]

14
Jul
Social Media 101 and 201 slides from 2026 Convention Workshops

Thank you for attending the Zonta International Convention Workshops on Social Media. Attached are the [...]

12
Jul
California has another chance to ban child marriage –

The Fresno Collegian summarizes the progress in the CA Assembly quite well.   Reporter  Manpreet [...]

09
Jul
California Bill to End Child marriage passes out of Senate Committee

AB1267 Would End Child Marriage in California Introduced by Assembly member Gail Pellerin and co-sponsored [...]

09
Jul
ZontaUSA Advocacy Bulletin, July 2026

In this edition:  – Women’s Health – Maternal Health  – Driving the Vote for Equality [...]

09
Jul

Visit our Resource Library to find more topics and information about Building a Better World for Women and Girls in the USA

Advocacy Definition

Advocacy is the expression of support for, or opposition to a cause, argument, or proposal. Advocacy may include influencing laws, legislation or attitudes. Zonta advocacy is an action taken in the public interest or for the greater good with respect to advancing the status of women and girls and their human rights.

Advocacy Policy

Zonta International, its districts and its clubs are urged to express themselves about and become involved in issues that:

o Improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women.

o Advance understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of executives in business and the professions.
Promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

They are encouraged to support proposed or introduced legislation that advances the implementation of the Objects and resolutions of Zonta International, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, CEDAW – The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Millennium Development Goals, the Sustainable Development Goals and their updates, as well as other United Nations and Council of Europe conventions.

USA Caucus Members by District

ZontaUSA logo white on black

Peter Bober
USA Rep International Advocacy Committee

Denise Sylvester
Caucus Convener

Tonya Ozone
District 1

Alternate: Donna Raycraft

Daniela Puorto
District 2

Alternate: Melanie Puorto Conte

Leslie Wright
District 3

Alternate: Joanne Gallos

Kathy O’Leary
District 4

Alternate: Bethany O’Hagan

climate action

Rosanne Dunlap
District 5

Alternate: Angela Brokmann

Mary Nagel
District 6

Alternate: Michelle Miller

Amber Berry
District 7

Alternate: Nancy Pranke

Carrie Blair - Stephanie Adams
District 8

Alternate: Katherine Cleland

Sheila Cook-Cohen
District 9

Alternate: Nicole Miller

Mary Quinn
District 10

Alternate: Bonnie Artale

Therese Hartwell
District 11

Alternate: Regina Adesanya

climate action

Julie Trone
District 12

Alternate: Denise K. Parrish

Barb Swartzel
District 15

Alternate: Cindy Post-Petkus 

Katherine Cleland
Communications, ERA, End Child Marriage

Ad Hoc + Committee Members

Gail JohnsonDistrict 15
Nicole Miller 
Pam GarvinDistrict 3
Bernadette GibsonDistrict 11 
Marilyn ColtonDistrict 15
Angela CamposDistrict 3

USA Advocacy Committees 2024-2026

  • ERA —
    Melanie Puorto Conte District 2
    Leslie WrightDistrict 3
    Mary Nagel District 6
    Katherine ClelandDistrict 8
    Marilyn ColtonDistrict 15
    Bobbee Cardillo District 3
  • CHILD MARRIAGE —
    Melanie Puorto Conte District 2
    Kathy O’Leary District 4
    Rosanne Dunlap  District 5
    Mary Nagel District 6
    Michelle MillerDistrict 6
    Katherine ClelandDistrict 8
    Sheila Cook-CohenDistrict 9
    Therese HartwellDistrict 11
    Denise K. ParrishDistrict 12
  • ZONTA SAYS NO to VAW —
    Melanie Puorto Conte District 2
    Leslie WrightDistrict 3
    Pam GarvinDistrict 3
    Michelle MillerDistrict 6
    Amber BerryDistrict 7
    Nancy Pranke District 7
    Sheila Cook-CohenDistrict 9
    Bonnie Artale District 10
    Therese HartwellDistrict 11
    Barb SwartzelDistrict 15
    Cindy Post-Petkus District 15
  • TRAFFICKING
Tonya OzoneDistrict 1
Melanie Puorto Conte District 2
Kathy O’Leary District 4
Nicole MillerDistrict 9
Barb SwartzelDistrict 15

 

  • HEALTH —
    Daniela PuortoDistrict 2
    Amber BerryDistrict 7
    Nicole MillerDistrict 9
    Cindy Post-Petkus District 15
  • Women in LEADERSHIP (FORMERLY WORK& EDUCATION (combined)
    Ranelle Randels (Chair), Penny Briese, Betty Houbion, Terri Purtee-Stein and Bobbee
  • Gender Equal CLIMATE action —
    Melanie Puorto Conte District 2
    Leslie WrightDistrict 3
    Pam GarvinDistrict 3
    Michelle MillerDistrict 6
    Amber BerryDistrict 7
    Nancy Pranke District 7
    Sheila Cook-CohenDistrict 9
    Bonnie Artale District 10
    Therese HartwellDistrict 11
    Barb SwartzelDistrict 15
    Cindy Post-Petkus District 15

Ad Hoc Subcommittees

  • Rules

Latest From USA Caucus

Resources, Articles, News and Updates

Advocacy ERA

Women’s Equality Day ERA Actions

Plan for Women’s Equality Day Aug 26th –  ACT for the ERA Aug 26th Read the [...]

15
Aug

End-Child Marriage

ABA adopts resolution to end Child Marriage in the USA
August 6, 2026

At its August 2026 Annual Conference, the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates adopted [...]

UN - CSW

UNFPA and UN Women Assessing potential Merger- Analysis Report

From the report introduction: the Secretary-General commissioned an assessment of “the benefits of a merger [...]

06
Aug

Advocacy ERA

Aug. 26th; Women’s Equality Day- Read the Declaration on your Capitol or CourtHouse steps

Women’s Equality Day Aug 26th  ACT for the ERA Read the Women’s Declaration of Independence [...]

14
Jul

Operations

Social Media 101 and 201 slides from 2026 Convention Workshops

Thank you for attending the Zonta International Convention Workshops on Social Media. Attached are the [...]

12
Jul

End-Child Marriage

California has another chance to ban child marriage –

The Fresno Collegian summarizes the progress in the CA Assembly quite well.   Reporter  Manpreet [...]

09
Jul

Advocacy End-Child Marriage

California Bill to End Child marriage passes out of Senate Committee

AB1267 Would End Child Marriage in California Introduced by Assembly member Gail Pellerin and co-sponsored [...]

09
Jul

Advocacy Bulletins

ZontaUSA Advocacy Bulletin, July 2026

In this edition:  – Women’s Health – Maternal Health  – Driving the Vote for Equality [...]

09
Jul