Young Women in Leadership Award
Formerly Young Women in Public Affairs AwardApplications for 2026 open in Dec 2025
The Young Women in Leadership Award recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life. Award description Though about 40 percent of the world’s workforce is women, according to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, only 24 percent of all national parliamentarians were female as of 1 December 2018. Zonta International believes that young women are the key to women’s advancement in the field of public service. Established in 1990 by Past International President Leneen Forde, Zonta has given 888 awards (includes international awards), totalling US$924,750, to 756 young women representing 56 countries. The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region and international levels. Zonta clubs provide awards for club recipients, and district/region and international awards are funded by the Zonta International Foundation. District recipients receive US$1,500, and 10 international recipients are selected from the district/region recipients to receive awards of US$5,000 each. Eligibility Women, ages 16-19 on 1 April each year, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.
Classified members and employees of Zonta International and Zonta International Foundation, and their family members, are not eligible to apply for the Awards. Application Process The application starts at the club level - here at Zonta Bendigo. Please download and read the application form in full before completing. All parts of the application must be completed, signed where appropriate and submitted to our club via email by the printed deadline. A club evaluating panel reviews the applications and may request a phone interview before selecting one applicant. The selected applicant will also be sent to the District 23 Governor/District Co-Ordinator. A district evaluating committee reviews the applications and selects one applicant per district to submit to Zonta International Headquarters. The Zonta International YWL Award Committee recommends 10 international recipients from the district/region applications to the Zonta International Board. After approval by the Zonta International Board, the Zonta International Foundation provides awards and certificates to the district/region, and international recipients. Timeline 2025 - 2026 Applications Open: December 2025 Applications Close: 8th February 2026 Announced: Tuesday 3rd March 2026 Presented at Zonta Bendigo International Women's Day Dinner on 3rd March 2026. Recipient & Prize Money The recipient of the YWL Award will be notified ahead of our International Women's Day Dinner, held annually on the first Tuesday of March. The winner will receive a certificate and $1,500.00. Cost of attending the dinner, for the recipient, is covered by the club; guests are welcome to attend at the ticketed price. 
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2023 winner Lilly C. Lilly has also gone on to win the award for our District and has been chosen by Zonta International to receive US$5,000. Well done Lilly!
2022 winner Brooke M
2020 Winner - Alyssa L
Past Zonta Bendigo Recipients
2024 - Levity C, Bendigo Senior Secondary College 2023 - Lilly C, Bendigo Senior Secondary College 2022 - Brooke M, Bendigo Senior Secondary College 2021 - Amelia B, Bendigo Senior Secondary College 2020 - Alyssa L, Bendigo Senior Secondary College 2019 - Eva J, Catherine McAuley College (previously Catholic College Bendigo) 2018 - Ella F, Girton Grammar 2017 - Kelly P, Bendigo Senior Secondary College 2016 - Gabriela G, Bendigo Senior Secondary College 2015 - Neeja T, Catholic College Bendigo 2014 - Breanna T, Bendigo Senior Secondary College |
Application Forms
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Young Women in Leadership Award
Closing date - 8 February 2026 |
2026 YWL Application Form
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Information Sheets
Please note this award has recently changed titles from "Young Women in Public Affairs Award" to "Young Women in Leadership Award". Some references to the Young Women in Public Affairs Award may remain while this change takes place.
