Carol Z. Bellamy Young Women in Public Affairs Award

This program recognizes pre-university women students for outstanding contributions to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements, and commitment to the advancement of the status of women. We hope to encourage more young women to enter careers in public affairs, public policy and community organizations. The club winner receives $500 and the runner-up $250. Both receive a certificate.

Winners and their parents are honored at our May meeting. The 2009 winner was Jasmine Nicole Holmes, a junior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Rickards High School. The runner up was Elizabeth Tew, a senior at Godby High School.

Each year, the winner goes on to compete for the District 11 award, and District winners are eligible for consideration for Zonta International awards. Our 2003 YWPA winner, Julia A. Norman, won the District 11 competition.

In 1993, our club named our annual award the Carol Z. Bellamy Young Women in Public Affairs Award in memory of Carol Z. Bellamy, former Tallahassee mayor and president-elect of Zonta before her untimely death in 1991. Ms. Bellamy’s public service career epitomized the qualities the YWPA award honors. She was a City Commissioner (1980-86), director of the U.S. Constitution Bicentennial Commission of Florida in 1987, and an active member in many civic groups.