SCHOLARSHIPS
Zonta has a dedicated history of supporting women in education. Scholarships are awarded locally, regionally and via Zonta International.
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- The Amelia Earhart Fellowship – expands opportunities for women pursuing advanced studies in the typically male-dominated fields of aerospace engineering and space sciences. 30 – $10,000 fellowships are awarded each year.
- The Women in Business Award supports women pursuing undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management
- The Women in STEM Award encourages women to pursue education, career opportunities and leadership roles in technology and related fields.
- The Young Women Leadership Award recognizes young women, ages 16-19, who demonstrate superior leadership skills and a commitment to public service and civic causes and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
In addition to the above scholarships the Zonta Club of Melbourne also supports the following scholarships:
- Zonta/Meehan Scholarship encourage women entrepreneurs to improve their business through weVENTURE’s programs and services distributed by Florida Tech Women’s Business Center.
- Zonta/EDC Manufacturing Certification is for women to become proficient in foundational skills for the manufacturing industry administered through Eastern Florida State College.
- Zonta/Yellow Dog Café Culinary Scholarship encourages women to pursue a career in the culinary arts.
AMELIA EARHART MONTH January 2026
Each January, Zonta celebrates the life and legacy of Zontian and famed aviator Amelia Earhart. She was a pioneering aviator who made history with her daring flights and fearless spirit. Amelia Earhart Day recognizes the day Amelia began her solo trip from Honolulu, Hawaii to Oakland, California. Her flight on January 11, 1935, made her the first person to fly to the United States mainland from Hawaii. Since she had flown over the Atlantic Ocean five years earlier, it also made her the first person to fly across both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Amelia faced challenges and obstacles in pursuing her dream of becoming a pilot. She attended six different high schools and still was able to graduate on time. Earhart refused to don typical flying gear – she wore a suit or dress instead of the “high-bread aviation togs,” a close fitting hat instead of a helmet and she did not put on her goggles until she taxied to the end of the field and removed them immediately upon landing.
She developed a friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, who wanted to learn how to fly. Earhart had planned to teach her, for which the First Lady even got her student permit. Despite the gender bias prevalent in her time, she shattered stereotypes and paved the way for women in aviation.
Despite extensive searches, no trace of her plane was ever found. Her life and career continue to inspire women around the world to pursue their dreams and make their mark in the world still mainly dominated by men. Amelia remains an icon of aviation and a symbol of courage, determination and a life worth living to the fullest.
Zonta Club of Melbourne is hosting our 2nd Annual Reaching New Heights: Women in Space on January 10, 2026, at the Sands Space Center Museum in Cape Canaveral from 1:00PM – 4:30PM. The event is open to anyone interested in exploring aerospace engineering and space sciences. This event is for all ages, especially women and girls interested in STEM.
Those who will be sharing their educational and career journeys are:
Col. Eileen Collins – retired NASA Astronaut and Air Force Colonel
McKayla Meier – 2025 Amelia Earhart Fellow from the University of Florida
Kelly Collins – First Officer at JetBlue
Priscilla Yecora – Public Relations & Community Specialist – Sheltair
Jo Kiel – Business Development Manager, Embrarer
McKenna Taylor – 2024 Astronaut Scholar Winner,
Dr. Trupti Mahendrakar – 2023 Amelia Earhart Fellow, Spacecraft Navigation Engineer at NASA’s Johnson Control Center in Houston, Texas
This event is also an opportunity to raise funds for the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund, which has supported 1,794 women from 80 countries in reaching their educational and professional goals in the aerospace and space sciences fields since 1938.
AMELIA EARHART MONTH January 2026
Each January, Zonta celebrates the life and legacy of Zontian and famed aviator Amelia Earhart. She was a pioneering aviator who made history with her daring flights and fearless spirit. Amelia Earhart Day recognizes the day Amelia began her solo trip from Honolulu, Hawaii to Oakland, California. Her flight on January 11, 1935, made her the first person to fly to the United States mainland from Hawaii. Since she had flown over the Atlantic Ocean five years earlier, it also made her the first person to fly across both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Amelia faced challenges and obstacles in pursuing her dream of becoming a pilot. She attended six different high schools and still was able to graduate on time. Earhart refused to don typical flying gear – she wore a suit or dress instead of the “high-bread aviation togs,” a close fitting hat instead of a helmet and she did not put on her goggles until she taxied to the end of the field and removed them immediately upon landing.
She developed a friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, who wanted to learn how to fly. Earhart had planned to teach her, for which the First Lady even got her student permit. Despite the gender bias prevalent in her time, she shattered stereotypes and paved the way for women in aviation.
Despite extensive searches, no trace of her plane was ever found. Her life and career continue to inspire women around the world to pursue their dreams and make their mark in the world still mainly dominated by men. Amelia remains an icon of aviation and a symbol of courage, determination and a life worth living to the fullest.
Zonta Club of Melbourne is hosting our 2nd Annual Reaching New Heights: Women in Space on January 10, 2026, at the Sands Space Center Museum in Cape Canaveral from 1:00PM – 4:30PM. The event is open to anyone interested in exploring aerospace engineering and space sciences. This event is for all ages, especially women and girls interested in STEM.
Those who will be sharing their educational and career journeys are:
Col. Eileen Collins – retired NASA Astronaut and Air Force Colonel
McKayla Meier – 2025 Amelia Earhart Fellow from the University of Florida
Kelly Collins – First Officer at JetBlue
Priscilla Yecora – Public Relations & Community Specialist – Sheltair
Jo Kiel – Business Development Manager, Embrarer
McKenna Taylor – 2024 Astronaut Scholar Winner,
Dr. Trupti Mahendrakar – 2023 Amelia Earhart Fellow, Spacecraft Navigation Engineer at NASA’s Johnson Control Center in Houston, Texas
Advance registration is required as seating is limited. To register for this Free event visit, Eventbrite.com – search Reaching New Heights: Women in Space
This event is also an opportunity to raise funds for the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund, which has supported 1,794 women from 80 countries in reaching their educational and professional goals in the aerospace and space sciences fields since 1938.
2025 Young Women Leadership Award Winner – Savanah Salter
Savanah Salter, a senior at Astronaut High School, has been awarded the Zonta Club of Melbourne’s Young Women in Leadership Award. This award recognizes young women demonstrating leadership skills and their commitment to public service and civic causes.
Savanah was selected for her outstanding academic record and active commitment to volunteerism. She is graduating in May with Honors from the Dual Enrollment Program at Eastern Florida State College. She was on Dean’s list at EFSC.
Her experience as a Student Government Association Ambassador and member of the National Honor Society actively demonstrates her qualities of leadership, service and advocacy. Being a member of these organizations suggests a strong commitment to their values and her desire to make a positive impact.
She is passionate about an organization she created, Salt & Sunshine, which distributes toys to children with long-term hospital stays. This organization earned her the Walt Disney Dreamer and Doer Award in recognition for her exemplary community service. She also is an advocate for homeless girls and participated in the Abracadabra Foundation providing prom dresses and coordinated a college tour to provide the possibilities available to them.
Savanah won the $2500 scholarship award at the Club level.
2025 Zonta/Yellow Dog Café Culinary Scholarship Winner – Becca Nies
For the first time in a few years, the Zonta Club of Melbourne was delighted to once again present our scholarship.
This year’s recipient is the outstanding Becca Nies, who is continuing her formal training to become a sommelier. Sommeliers are highly trained professionals who specialize in wine service and pairing. They possess the deep knowledge of each bottle’s origin – how much oak was used, the precise blend and the unique influence of each component, Sommeliers not only have the privilege of tasting and recommending some of the world’s finest wines, but they also build close relationships with winemakers, importers and other wine professionals.
We are proud to support Becca Nies on her educational journey and honored to play a role in her future success. Please join us in wishing her all the best as she pursues a bright and promising, not to mention, a tasty career.
Becca won a $2500 scholarship.
2025 Zonta/Yellow Dog Café Culinary Scholarship Winner – Becca Nies
For the first time in a few years, the Zonta Club of Melbourne was delighted to once again present our scholarship.
This year’s recipient is the outstanding Becca Nies, who is continuing her formal training to become a sommelier. Sommeliers are highly trained professionals who specialize in wine service and pairing. They possess the deep knowledge of each bottle’s origin – how much oak was used, the precise blend and the unique influence of each component, Sommeliers not only have the privilege of tasting and recommending some of the world’s finest wines, but they also build close relationships with winemakers, importers and other wine professionals.
We are proud to support Becca Nies on her educational journey and honored to play a role in her future success. Please join us in wishing her all the best as she pursues a bright and promising, not to mention, a tasty career.
Becca won a $2500 scholarship.
Elizabeth Tafoya
2024 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship Winner
Emily Qu
Trupti Mahendrakar
SPONSORS
