The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville supports International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March 2026
In honour of International Women’s Day, the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville partnered with the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Perth and District to present a special screening of the National Film Board of Canada documentary The Nest.
The Nest is a deeply moving film that explores important philosophical and social issues affecting many viewers — the death 
of a parent, aging, activism, raising children to be agents of change, the marginalization of immigrants and people with disabilities, and the underrated role of women in history. The film was thought-provoking and resonated deeply with the audience, encouraging everyone to consider new perspectives.
The film was followed by a presentation from special guest speaker Rajnish Sharma, hosted in partnership with the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville. Rajnish Sharma is Program Coordinator with Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO), a community-based agency dedicated to supporting immigrant and racialised women as they navigate life in Canada. A short question period followed the presentation with further questions about the work that IWSO does to support immigrant women and how we might be able to help. Rajnish is pictured here with Judith.
About 110 guests attended the film screening, including Valerie Hume from the Zonta Club of Ottawa. In the picture, she is wearing the blue coat. The event raised $1262, plus period products, to support Lanark County Interval House, a registered charity that provides emergency shelter and ongoing programs for women and children living with or escaping domestic violence.
Judith Ainsworth, President of the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville, emceed the event. We thank Alanna Scanlon (r) and the CFUW team for their hard work planning and organising such a stimulating event.
International Women’s Day Breakfast on Thursday 5 March 2026
On Thursday 5 March, the Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville attended the International Women’s Day breakfast hosted by Kanata North Councillor Cathy Curry (l). Nathalie Gougeon (r), Auditor General for the City of Ottawa/Vérificatrice générale de la Ville d’Ottawa was our guest speaker.
Ms Gougeon spoke to us about her professional trajectory as a woman in a mostly man’s field. Even with all her qualifications: Honours BA, Certified Professional Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor and Certified in Risk Management Assurance, among others, she still did not feel confident enough and questioned whether she should apply for this job. Lucky for us that she did!
Early in her career, she received an excellent performance review with one exception: “aggressive”. She was shocked and turned to a female manager for advice, never in a million years expecting to hear this:
“If a male is firm and direct, he is seen as “decisive” and “confident”. Whereas women often, get labelled as aggressive, difficult, or another term that I won’t mention here today, but you can probably fill in the blank.”
You can read the full text of this powerful speech here. Women have come a long way, but there is still so much more to do.
District International Focus
Award at the District 2 Fall Conference 17-19 October 2025!
The Zonta Club of Kanata-Stittsville was awarded the District International Focus Award. The picture shows ZD2 Governor Lorraine and ZKS President Judith holding the Award. It was so unexpected!
One of the reasons the club received this award was the twinning project with Taranto, Italy.
“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-
Based 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.
Stittsville Multicultural Festival Saturday 7 June 2025Zonta Club of Accra II
Zonta Club of Accra II
While working in Accra, Ghana in the 
fall 2023, Judith joined the five Zonta clubs as they launched the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence on 24 November by oranging the Silver Star Tower. She also attended the Zonta Club of Accra II business meeting on Thursday 7 December 2023.
Ottawa Council of Women “Picnic” Luncheon
9 August 2023 Cathy Curry, City Councillor for Ward 4 
(Kanata North), was guest speaker. She invited community groups to provide feedback on what we feel is important for women, their families and their communities.
Stittsville Multicultural Festival
7 June 2023