The Women of Achievement Luncheon is Zonta's largest fundraiser of the year.  One-third of the proceeds are given to Zonta International to help fund programs that help women across the globe.  The remaining two-thirds stays local - right here in Cape Girardeau - to help women in need. 

In 2012 more than 400 people attended the Zonta Women of Achievement Luncheon. The focus of our event is to honor and recognize local women for their accomplishments and contributions to our community.  We also unveiled our Club's newest partnership with the Haitian-American Caucus in Haiti.

This year, Amy Aldridge is our 2012 Celebration Award recipient.  Amy is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and works for St. Francis Medical Center in Human Resources.  She is best known for her involvement in "Hoops for Life", a 5K annual run in honor of her daughter Sahara "Hoops" Aldridge who passed away from a malignant brain tumor in November 2007 at the age of 13.  "Hoops for Life" of Southeast Missouri was organzied by Amy Aldridge and her husband, Shannon.  It is dedicated to promoting the awareness of, and raising funds for, the pediatric brain tumor research program at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University.  To date, "Hoops for Life" of Southeast Missouri has raised over $30,000.  Amy is currently working on "Sahara's Law", a bill to make it possible to donate at least a dollar of Missouri income tax refunds to pediatric cancer research.

Molly Strickland received our 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award.  Molly has worked for Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri for 27 years, serving as director for the past 10 years.  Originally from St. Louis, she relocated to Southeast Missouri at the age of 11.  Molly is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, is active in her church, and serves the community working with organizations related to children's services and adoption.