Zonta Club of Billings

08/01/2026

🔴 Join the Zonta Advocacy Committee at Global Village during Artwalk! 🔴

Friday, August 7 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Global Village, 2720 3rd Avenue North

Stop by our table to learn about the Red Sand Project, a participatory artwork created by Molly Gochman that uses sidewalk interventions and earthwork installations to spark conversation and action against human trafficking, modern slavery, and exploitation.

Participants pour red sand into sidewalk cracks to symbolize people who "fall through the cracks" of social, economic, and political systems, drawing attention to the vulnerabilities that lead to human trafficking and modern slavery.

We'll be handing out sand and water, and explaining how you can take part. Everyone is welcome, come be part of the movement!

07/31/2026

Access to affordable, reliable childcare is not simply a family issue—it is an economic issue and a women's rights issue. Women continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of caregiving responsibilities, making them more likely to reduce work hours, decline career opportunities or leave the workforce when quality childcare is unavailable or unaffordable. These challenges are especially pronounced in rural communities, where families often struggle to find childcare close to home. Expanding access to affordable, dependable childcare is essential to removing barriers to women's workforce participation, advancing economic independence and creating greater opportunities for women to succeed in their careers and be able to pursue higher education, accept employment, grow a business or advance into leadership positions.

The bipartisan Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act (S. 4628 / H.R. 7567) would take an important step toward addressing these barriers by strengthening access to affordable, high-quality childcare in rural communities.

Introduced in the Senate by Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and co-sponsored by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), with companion legislation introduced in the House of Representatives, the bill would:

Prioritize childcare projects through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development loan and grant programs.
Expand the availability and quality of childcare in rural communities.
Help make childcare more affordable for working families.
Evaluate the long-term economic and community impacts of these investments to strengthen future rural development efforts.

By investing in rural childcare infrastructure, this legislation supports not only children and families, but also employers struggling to recruit and retain workers, strengthens local economies and creates greater opportunities for women to participate fully in the workforce.

Senator Tina Smith states, "Affordable, quality childcare is essential to a family's success, but for folks in rural areas and small towns, it's often out of reach."

"Families living in rural communities across the country are struggling to access affordable, reliable childcare, which makes it harder for parents to stay in the workforce and harder for local businesses to retain a strong workforce,” said Senator Maggie Hassan.

07/26/2026

SERVICE PROJECT TO BENEFIT THE MT MIGRANT EDUCATION PROGRAM

Twelve Zontians spent 1 hour and 20 minutes at the Montana Migrant Education Program offices on July 25, packing 350 backpacks for K-12 students whose parents work in agriculture under special agricultural visas.

The program provided the supplies — our volunteers provided the teamwork, saving the director valuable hours ahead of the school year.

350 students will start the year ready to learn, thanks to a little Zonta elbow grease. 💛

International

07/15/2026

Looking for something to do? Come support Operation Juliet's Heroes at Bat softball showdown — Billings Fire Dept vs. Billings Police.
📅 Friday, July 24, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Dehler Park, Billings, MT
All proceeds benefit Operation Juliet, supporting female veterans in our community. Come out and show your support.
Learn more: www.operationjuliet.org

05/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our very own Renée Coppock on her election as Vice President of Zonta International!

Renée has been a tireless advocate for women and girls throughout her years with Zonta — traveling the world, championing UN initiatives, all while maintaining a thriving legal practice.

A recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Zonta International, District 12, Renée has long been a mentor, a role model, and a powerhouse within our organization. Now she takes that dedication to the international stage as our new Vice President.

We are so proud and so excited for what comes next. Congratulations, Renée 💙🌍

04/29/2026

04/22/2026

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month 🩵

Nearly every minute, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. Awareness is the first step, but ~ prevention through education is our strongest tool.

At the Billings Area Family Violence Task Force, we are dedicated to:

Education: Providing the community with prevention tools

Support: Strengthening connection to resources for survivors

Foundations: Promoting healthy relationships to break the cycle of violence

WE NEED YOU. 🤝
Real change happens when the community works together. We are looking for passionate individuals to join our Task Force and help us build a safer Billings.

🔗 Join us or learn more: bafvtf.org

04/22/2026

🌍👣 This , Zonta International calls on governments, the private sector, civil society, and every day citizens to Step Forward for Equality—because climate action can no longer be delayed, diluted or discussed without those most affected: women and girls, and the women leaders who must sit at every decision-making table where climate priorities are set.

From rising displacement to reduced access to essential services, the impacts are clear. The most effective action we can take today is to:
💛 Raise awareness
💛 Educate our communities
💛 Step forward for equality

For more than 100 years, Zonta International has advanced women’s rights, and today on Earth Day 2026, we raise our voices a little higher.

👣 Every step matters. Climate justice is gender justice, and the time to act is now. Read the full statement here: https://bit.ly/4tohhEv

04/17/2026

Congratulations to Karlie Heaney, recipient of the Zonta Club of Billings Young Women In Leadership Award!
Karlie is a 4.0+ GPA student at Billings Senior High who consistently goes above and beyond. She's a Student Council officer, National Honors Society leader, and multi-sport athlete — all while tutoring peers and volunteering at Billings Clinic and Intermountain Health.
What stands out most is her initiative. After volunteering at a middle school Leadership Summit, Karlie created Glow to Grow, a mentorship program helping young girls build confidence and a positive self-image as they head to high school. That's the kind of leader she is — she sees a need and steps up.
With plans to pursue nursing, we have no doubt she'll carry that same dedication forward.
Karlie has been awarded $1,500 from the Zonta Club of Billings, with the potential to receive an additional $1,000 from Zonta District 12 and $5,000 from Zonta International. We wish her the best of luck as her application moves forward!

04/15/2026

Please consider attending the Billings Clinic Forensic Nursing Survivors' Walk on April 24th or the Gala on April 26th. The Gala is open to all attendees at no cost; however, advance ticket registration is required. Further RSVP details are outlined below.