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One hundred Kiwi women have been recognised for their contribution to women’s empowerment, and the Coast’s Janet Hope, Denise Ritchie and Barbara Kendall are among them.
They have been chosen by Zonta, an international club that advocates for women’s rights, in celebration of its 100th birthday.
The club named their first 50 women in 2016 followed by 50 more on November 8 this year, creating Zonta NZ’s 100 Women of Achievement list.
The Hibiscus Coast Zonta Club’s Janet Hope has been part of Zonta, as a member, treasurer and now president, for more than 15 years. During that time, she has taken part in countless fundraisers for community organisations.
She had a 33-year long career with NZ Police, which included encouraging women to apply for senior positions, and was recognised for outstanding female leadership by the Australasian Council of Women in Policing.
Barrister Denise Ritchie founded Stop Demand in 2003, an organisation that works to prevent sexual violence and exploitation. She was the driving force behind NZ law reforms on child sex tourism in 1995, and child sex abuse images in 2005, and speaks internationally about the issues women face.
More recently, she travelled to Nigeria, (HM October 15, 2018) to deliver 2000 menstrual cups to women in refugee camps.
Windsurfing Olympian Barbara Kendall worked with the International Olympic Committee for 12 years, advocating for the rights of female athletes.
Currently, she sits on the International Olympic Committee’s Women in Sport Commission, is vice president of the International Surfing Federation, and works with various other organisations in the realms of sport, the environment and artificial intelligence.
The 100 Women of Achievement will be celebrated at a dinner hosted by the Auckland Zonta Club on November 25.
