At the Huntmar station, club Zontians Kathleen Kardasz, Judith Ainsworth, Elspeth Nickle and Tyler Smith joined officers for a photo with the Zonta Says NO banner. Present were Inspector Isabelle Lemieux, OPS support dog Cindy, Acting Staff Sergeant Andrew Pidcock, Sergeant John Drader, and Constable Darren Joseph, all proudly standing together to send a clear message: violence against women will not be tolerated.Day 15
16 Days – Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
Today, the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville wants to highlight our male allies in ending gender-based violence.

As part of the local 2025 Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign, members of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) partnered with the Zonta Club, linking arms to show solidarity and support.

The partnership reflects the shared commitment of OPS and Zonta to the safety and security of the community. Police officers play a critical role in addressing domestic violence and abuse, and this campaign offered an opportunity to publicly reinforce that commitment.

At the Huntmar station, club Zontians Kathleen Kardasz, Judith Ainsworth, Elspeth Nickle and Tyler Smith joined officers for a photo with the Zonta Says NO banner. Present were Inspector Isabelle Lemieux, OPS support dog Cindy, Acting Staff Sergeant Andrew Pidcock, Sergeant John Drader, and Constable Darren Joseph, all proudly standing together to send a clear message: violence against women will not be tolerated.

Also part of the picture is Kristy Taylor, Operations Manager with Shelter Movers in Ottawa. A volunteer-powered organization, Shelter Movers is referral-based and supports people leaving situations of violence with free moving and storage services. “We want to take away some of the stress involved in someone’s decision to leave,” Kristy says. “In high-risk situations, we call on the Ottawa Police for support and they will be present with us during a move.”

Read more about Ottowa Police Service (OPS) partnering with ZONTA here.

Read more about Shelter Movers here.

Another Orange Lady has been spotted right beside yesterday’s Orange Lady! Look for her outside Main Street Café, 1626 Stittsville Main StreetDay 14
16 Days – Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
Another Orange Lady has been spotted right beside yesterday’s Orange Lady! Look for her outside Main Street Café, 1626 Stittsville Main Street.

Owner John with his Orange Lady and Elspeth Nickle stress the many forms of Intimate Partner Violence along with some alarming statistics. A Sittsville mainstay for over 30 years, Main Street Café serves fresh and delicious breakfast and lunch. While you are there, check out what the Orange Lady tells us about violence against women and what you can do. The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville thanks Main Street Café for supporting our Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign!

Have you spotted the Orange Lady hanging out just outside Re-Read Used Books, 1626 Stittsville Main StreetDay 13
16 Days – Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
Have you spotted the Orange Lady hanging out just outside Re-Read Used Books, 1626 Stittsville Main Street?

You may have already seen her because Re-Read Used Books posted a picture of their lady on Facebook to launch the campaign. The Orange Lady with Elspeth Nickle and Judith Ainsworth tells us that misogynistic attitudes and behaviours manifest as abuse, control, violence and murder of women and girls. It’s not homicide, it’s femicide. Re-Read Used Books invites you to learn what the Orange Lady tells us about violence against women and what you can do. The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville thanks Re-Read Used Books for supporting our Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign!

Look for another Orange Lady on the outdoor patio at Papa Sam’s Pizzeria, 1374 Stittsville Main StreetDay 12
16 Days – Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
Look for another Orange Lady on the outdoor patio at Papa Sam’s Pizzeria, 1374 Stittsville Main Street. Along with Papa Sam and Elspeth Nickle, the Orange Lady is marking the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

We remember the 14 women killed at École Polytechnique in Montréal in 1989 and all lives stolen and impacted by femicide in Ottawa and beyond. When you drop by for pizza or ice cream, check out the Orange Lady. She reminds us that these women were murdered simply because they were women. Join the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville and others at the vigil in Minto Park. Come remember, stand with survivors, call it femicide and call for real action to end gender-based violence. The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville thanks Papa Sam for supporting our Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign!

More Orange Ladies on Stittsville Main Street! Today the Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign is highlighting the Orange Lady hosted by Browns’ Your Independent Grocer, 1251 Stittsville Main Street. Manager Allison joined Judith Ainsworth and Elspeth Nickle to stress that we need to call it femicide when a woman is murdered simply because she is a woman. While stopping at Browns for all your grocery needs, check out what the Orange Lady tells us about violence against women and what you can do. The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville thanks Browns’ Independent for supporting our Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign!Day 11
16 Days – Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
More Orange Ladies on Stittsville Main Street! Today the Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign is highlighting the Orange Lady hosted by Browns’ Your Independent Grocer, 1251 Stittsville Main Street.

Manager Allison joined Judith Ainsworth and Elspeth Nickle to stress that we need to call it femicide when a woman is murdered simply because she is a woman. While stopping at Browns for all your grocery needs, check out what the Orange Lady tells us about violence against women and what you can do. The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville thanks Browns’ Independent for supporting our Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign!

Today an Orange Lady was spotted at Blues and Brews, 1523 Stittsville Main Street!Day 10
16 Days – Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
Today an Orange Lady was spotted at Blues and Brews, 1523 Stittsville Main Street!

Together the Orange Lady, Ron Teather and Elspeth Nickle underscore the need to end child marriage in Canada, another form of violence against women and girls. Drop by for tasty Cajun po’boys, specialty coffee and Ashton craft beer. While you are there, check out what the Orange Lady tells us about violence against girls due to child marriage. Scan the QR code to sign our petition to end child marriage in Canada, no exceptions. The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville thanks Blues and Brews for supporting our Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign!!

Wow! Orange Ladies are popping up all over Stittsville Main Street!Day 9
16 Days – Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women
Wow! Orange Ladies are popping up all over Stittsville Main Street! Today we spotted an Orange lady at Jo-Jo’s Pizzeria, 1573 Stittsville Main Street.

The Orange Lady with Elspeth Nickle and Judith Ainsworth raises awareness of the exploitation of women and girls for human trafficking. While you are picking up your gourmet pizza or shawarma, or eating in, check out what the Orange Lady tells us about violence against women and what you can do if you suspect someone is being groomed or trafficked. The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville thanks Jo-Jo’s Pizzeria for supporting our Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign!

Day 7
16 Days – Zonta Says NO to Violence against WomenOrange Ladies are starting to pop up all along Stittsville Main Street!
Orange Ladies are starting to pop up all along Stittsville Main Street! Maverick’s Donuts at 1408 Stittsville Main Street is hosting an Orange Lady for the Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign!

Margaret joined Judith Ainsworth and Elspeth Nickle as they highlighted street harassment as a form of gender violence. Drop by for fresh, irresistible gourmet donuts that will satisfy all your cravings. While you are there, make sure you check out what the Orange Lady tells us about violence against women and what you can do. The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville thanks Maverick’s Donuts for supporting our campaign!

Day 2
16 Days – Zonta Says NO to Violence against WomenRitual on Main Café at 1610 Stittsvile Main Street in Stittsville has placed one of the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville Orange Ladies on their porch for 16 Days
Ritual on Main Café at 1610 Stittsvile Main Street in Stittsville has placed one of the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville Orange Ladies on their porch for 16 Days during the Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign.

Paxtyn and Lily joined Judith and Elspeth to show off their lady and raise awareness in our community. Drop by, grab a coffee, see what the Orange Lady tells us about violence against women and what you can do. Thank you for your support!

On 24 November, the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville launched the Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville.

Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville

On 24 November, the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville launched the Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville. Pictured (l-r) are Makenna, Principal Ryan Larose, Vice-Principal Karen Blake-Strong, Elspeth Nickle (Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville) and Sam. Last spring, Makenna and Sam in the carpentry class cut out the ladies for us. Their teacher, Damien Brown-Graham wrote:

“We have the Orange Ladies rolling off the production line courtesy of a couple stellar students, (Sam and Makenna), in one of my construction classes. They have really engaged in the project, looked you up as an organisation and decided to help you by completing this project in a volunteer capacity. I have described the full project to them including the finish painting step”.

We thank Makenna and Sam for their enthusiastic collaboration. Without the support of Sacred Heart High School, this project would not have come to fruition.

“Orange Ladies” Painting Party in Village Square Park Stittsville – Sat 9 Aug 2025

At our “Painting Party”, Carolyn, Elspeth, Judith and friends painted the 16 plywood cutout ladies to be used in the Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Painted LadiesBased Violence, an annual event which runs from November 25th to December 10th. The event aims to raise awareness and galvanise action to end violence against women and girls worldwide.

We invited people interested in Zonta and women’s human rights to our “Painting Party”. As you can see, we were joined by friends and some youthful painters. Stittsville City Councillor, Glen Gower, dropped by to congratulate us on an inspiring community project in the park.

Here are some of the ladies drying in the sun. A huge thank-you to the shop students at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville who cut out the ladies for us as part of their extra-curricular activity.