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Woman of the Year

Each year, the Zonta Club of the Joliet Area recognizes one of their members for making a significant contribution in the advancement and operation of the Club. Sometimes the efforts are very visible and other times the good work takes place behind the scenes. Joliet Area Zontians thoughtfully nominate one of their own who has utilized creativity, time and effort to help make a positive difference. This can be through active participation in support of meetings, service projects, publications/websites, fundraising, communications, recruitment; or other significant activities such as representing our Club at district and national meetings.

2025 Honoree

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the Zonta Club of the Joliet Area named Terri Taylor as ZCJA's Woman of the Year.

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Terri is the owner of Persona Grata, in Shorewood. Terri was sponsored by Cheryl McCarthy and has been a member since 2016. Persona Grata is a cozy boutique salon, and Terri’s personal stamp is evident not only in the décor, but in the ambience of the shop.

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Terri was instrumental in organizing a project close to her heart: collecting costume jewelry and setting up displays with gift bags in local schools and other organizations to provide an opportunity for students and clients to give a unique gift to honor the mothers, aunts, and grandmothers in their lives. While club members donate the jewelry, Terri makes it special for the kids with her own artistic touches. She has co-chaired the club’s successful fundraising committee in the past and continues to be a creative part of club fundraisers. Her work with Zonta isn’t limited to fundraising; when she served on the Service & Advocacy Committee, she was instrumental in gathering numerous blankets for the club’s participation in a Project Linus event.

Pictured left to right, Honoree Terry Taylor, President Bonnie Winfrey, Woman of the Year Committee spokesperson Johanna Kerwin

Woman of the Year Past Honorees

2004 Kathy Giegerich

2005 Beth Ann May 

2006 Mary Baudino 

2007 Pat Perrier

2008 Dinah Archambeault

2009 Yolanda Reyes

2010 Bonnie Horne 

2011 Rita Weiss

2012 Beth Colvin

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2013 Mary Lancaster 

2014 Peggy Field

2015 Cathy Lowery

2016 Helen Hester Ross 

2017 Kristine Schlismann 

2018 Catherine Adamowski

2019 Pam Hunte

2020 Donna Zanzola

2021 Terri King

1995 Pam Davis Gorcowski

1996 Helen Sarsfield 

1997 Emita Ostrem

1998 Ta Wilson 

1999 Jan Larsen

2000 Lora McGuire

2001 Bonnie McElroy

2002 Dianne Harmon

2003 Karen Lega

1986 Helen Harshbarger 

1987 Dorothy Cryder 

1988 Carmela Castagna

1989 Dianna Gliwa

1990 Wanda Onstad

1991 Charlotte Baker

1992 Mohra Gavankar

1993 Jane DeWitt 

1994 Judith Freund Vavrus 

2022   Karen Pastell

2023   Lisa Pappas

2024   Katy Leclair

Proud Member of:

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Proud Partner of:

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Zonta Club of the Joliet Area
P.O. Box 2608
Joliet IL 60434

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