Young Women in Leadership Award

The Zonta Club of Wellington hosted the Young Women in Leadership award ceremony for 2025 at the KPMG boardrooms, preceding its January Club meeting. The ceremony was a combined event with the Zonta Club of Mana. We were pleased to welcome a number of Mana Club members to the meeting and to the dinner that followed. Wellington Mayor (and ZCW Club member) Tory Whanau and Porirua Mayor Anita Baker were honoured guests.

The 2025 award winners were chosen following a robust selection process and panel interview involving the Wellington and Mana Zonta clubs. The calibre of applicants was high, and all of the young women selected for interview were truly impressive.
 
The aim of the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award (previously known as the Young Women in Public Affairs Award), is to encourage young women to participate in leadership positions by recognizing the candidate’s commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to building a better world for women and girls through service and advocacy. It encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
 
The Wellington club’s deserving winner, Divya Srinivasa, from Queen Margaret’s College, was supported at the event by her proud parents. Divya was presented with her award certificate and a Zonta rose by Mayor Whanau.

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Divya was born and raised in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, and she has just finished her final year at Queen Margret College where she was Deputy Head Girl.  She has a strong passion for learning. Service to the community, leadership, and inspiring/empowering young women have always been important to her. She has had the opportunity to work with and support young wahine in her school community by being a class leader, house leader and deputy head girl, alongside coaching debating and peer tutoring.

 

What stood out for the panel in Divya’s interview was her understanding of and ability to articulate her thoughts on issues affecting the status and wellbeing of women in New Zealand and globally. Divya spoke to the gender pay gap, inequities in healthcare and support for women’s medical issues, the opportunities to encourage young women into STEM subjects, and violence against women including online misogynistic behaviour. She is an impressive young woman and one that I can see will be making a positive impact in Aoteoroa New Zealand and globally in her future.

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Divya responded to the presentation of her award with grace and an inspiring speech of thanks. We are confident that this future leader will go far as she confidently takes the next steps in her education and life.
 
Mana’s winner, Jade Lin, was unfortunately unable to attend on the evening due to a last minute travel delay. Mayor Baker accepted the certificate and a Zonta rose on Jade’s behalf. Jade will be honoured at a future Mana Club meeting.