Our Club is looking forward to hosting this event to mark International Women’s Day and Zonta International Rose Day 2025. The theme this year is #AccelerateAction and we are focusing on celebrating champions for women.
Thursday 6 March at the Richmond Club, 75 London Street, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
$36, which includes a glass of bubbles and nibbles
Please support this event by attending, by inviting your friends, and by communicating it to your personal and professional networks.
You can buy your tickets at www.zontachristchurch.org.nz/buy-tickets
We have invited three women to speak, whose stories will challenge and inspire you.
Our Speakers
Jo Bailey is a writer, editor, publisher, writing coach, and kindness activist, who in 2019, following the Christchurch terror attack, was a co-founder of Uniting Canterbury Women. The group has built a large following, with its kaupapa to unite Canterbury wāhine of all ethnicities, break down barriers, celebrate diversity and inclusivity, and provide a safe space where women can connect and share their stories. Along with her full-time work as a writer and editor, Jo is a passionate historian. She has written four books, including Never Forget, a collection of six true World War II stories, and is currently working on her fifth book, the story of a Christchurch nurse who served overseas during World War I.
Gretchen La Roche was born and grew up in Tūranganui-a-kiwa Gisborne in an arts and sports mad family. She began her career as a professional clarinettist performing with The Royal Philharmonic and London Symphony in the UK before returning to New Zealand to play with the Auckland Philharmonia and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO). Gretchen then transitioned into arts management, working in areas of community engagement and sponsorship before taking on the roles of CEO and Artistic Director with the CSO, CEO with Chamber Music New Zealand, Senior Manager Arts Development for Creative New Zealand and is currently the Executive Director for The Court Theatre. Her work has been characterised by leading change and repositioning organisations to respond to evolving external contexts. In May Gretchen will commence the role of CEO for Creative New Zealand Arts Council Toi Aotearoa.
Meri Gibson is a member of Abreast of Life (ABOL) dragon boat team and has been a major force in the progress of dragon boat paddling in New Zealand since joining her team in November 2006. Her influence has extended beyond New Zealand and since 2018 she has been the President of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission. In 2019 she became an Associate Vice President of the International Dragon Boat Federation. Meri had been diagnosed and treated for cervical and ovarian cancer in the 1990s and was diagnosed with highly malignant breast cancer in early 2000 and again in 2011. She is passionate about sharing the story of an amazing life post a diagnosis of breast cancer and she has many media credits to her name as an in demand motivational speaker and television personality. When she isn’t busy running her consultancy business, or managing a property portfolio, Meri is a marriage celebrant and she also reviews movies for a radio station. Meri was honoured as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 3rd June 2024 Kings Birthday honours in recognition of her services to dragon boating and breast cancer awareness.