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.
2026 Honoree
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Zonta Club of the Joliet Area named Barbara Leiber as ZCJA's Woman of the Year.
Barb has been an active club member since joining in 2017. She was sponsored by long-time member Joanne Potenziani. "I had attended a fundraiser with her and was impressed by the work the Zonta Club of Joliet does in the community. I learned that these were not ladies who lunch but women who worked for the good of their community. I felt called to be a part of this effort. I have not been disappointed. "
Barb has participated in many committees, including Fellowship, Attendance and Fundraising.
Barb was instrumental in securing vendors for the 2026 Pizza Wars fundraiser.
She has served as a delegate at several regional conferences and she served as a delegate at the Zonta International Convention in Brisbane, Australia in 2024.
Barb is retired from Benedictine University and gives back to her community via other organizations including serving on the Board of NAMI of Will-Grundy.
'Being honored by the members of this group, my peers, is a big deal! Whenever your peers recognize you, it is especially powerful. These are women I respect for all their dedication to making the community a better place for girls and women and I am proud to be among them. "
Pictured left to right, Honoree Barb Leiber and Chair of the Nominating Committee, Peggy Field
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
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
2025 Terri Taylor