90 Years Strong: How Zonta Burbank Has Shaped Women, Leadership and Community

On September 26, 2026, the Zonta Club of Burbank Area proudly celebrates an extraordinary milestone — 90 years of commitment to empowering women and strengthening communities throughout Burbank and its surrounding areas. The Zonta Burbank 90th Anniversary celebratory luncheon will be held at Santuari Event Space at Toluca Lake Tennis and Fitness Club.

A Legacy Rooted in Leadership

The Zonta Club of Burbank Area was chartered in 1936. Its charter president was Dr. Elta Pfister, a school psychologist for the Burbank School District. Dr. Pfister was a prominent figure in the community serving on numerous commissions and boards. In the decades since, Zonta members have included a who’s who of civic, business and non-profit leaders committed to improving the lives of women and girls.

Founded as part of Zonta International — established in Buffalo, New York in 1919 — the Zonta Club of Burbank Area emerged during an era when women were excluded from men's service organizations such as Kiwanis and Rotary, creating a vital space for women to network for professional success while supporting their local communities.

Probably the most famous Zontian is aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, who was a devoted member of Zonta International. While she was not a member of the Zonta Club of Burbank Area, Earhart had a home in nearby Toluca Lake and used the Hollywood Burbank Airport (formerly known as the United Airport and the Lockheed Air Terminal). Lockheed began manufacturing planes in Burbank in the 1920s and manufactured Earhart’s planes.

Following Earhart's disappearance in 1937, Zonta International established the Amelia Earhart Fellowship in 1938 to support women pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace. This prestigious program continues today, awarding up to 30 $10,000 fellowships annually. In 2026, the program honored 30 women from 11 countries pursuing careers in aerospace engineering and space sciences.

Investing in Women and Girls

Grants, scholarships and awards are a significant part of what Zonta and Zonta Burbank accomplish. The Zonta Club of Burbank Area is proud to support Zonta International’s Zonta Women in STEM Award, Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award, and Young Women in Leadership Award. Since 2010, Zonta Burbank also offers its own grants, called WINGS grants, which provide up to $2,000 to adult women pursuing academic or vocational education to overcome adversity. Awards are made through community nonprofit partners, such as Family Services Agency – Burbank, YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena, and Home Again Los Angeles.

In 1948, the Zonta Club of Burbank established the very first Z Club at Burbank High School, creating an opportunity for young people to develop leadership skills, explore careers and make a difference through service. The idea soon grew beyond Burbank and was adopted as a program of Zonta International. Today, Z Clubs continue that legacy in communities around the world. While Z Clubs are no longer active in the Burbank area, the program continues to thrive globally, carrying forward the legacy that began right here in Burbank. More than 75 years after this pioneering initiative launched at Burbank High School, Z Clubs worldwide continue to connect young people with Zonta's global mission and empower the next generation of leaders to help build a better world for women and girls.

From 1996 to 2016, Zonta Burbank proudly administered the prestigious Burbank Woman of the Year Award, continuing a distinguished tradition of recognizing exceptional women whose leadership, service, and commitment have strengthened the Burbank community. Originally established in 1949 by the Burbank Women's Club, this esteemed award's inaugural recipient was Dr. Elta Pfister, the founding president of Zonta Burbank. After two decades of honoring outstanding community leaders, the award program was concluded in 2016.

Advocating for a Safer, Stronger Community

In recent years, Zonta Burbank has worked to advance policy changes that protect vulnerable populations. The club's persistent advocacy efforts led to the unanimous passage of Burbank's comprehensive anti-human trafficking policy in 2024, which requires businesses to implement training programs and display awareness signage. This groundbreaking policy positions Burbank as a leader in combating human trafficking, recognizing the city's vulnerability as a transit hub with its airport and rail connections.

For twelve consecutive years, Zonta Burbank has organized the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign from November 25 to December 10. This internationally coordinated effort includes illuminating Burbank City Hall and other public buildings in orange light, joining iconic landmarks worldwide like the Arc de Triomphe, Niagara Falls, and the Sydney Opera House in symbolizing the global movement to end violence against women and girls.

The club's community work includes organizing annual marches against gender violence, coordinating with the SOAP Project to distribute thousands of labeled toiletries containing trafficking hotline information to local hotels and urgent care centers, and partnering with local organizations for anti-trafficking training sessions that have reached hundreds of volunteers. The club is an active participant in the City of Burbank’s Domestic Violence Task Force.

As it celebrates its 90th anniversary, the Zonta Club of Burbank Area is proud of its record of continuous service to Burbank and its surrounding communities. By responding to ever-changing needs brought on by depression, wars, social upheaval and prosperity, the Zonta club has endured as an organization the community can count on and a place where volunteers find fellowship and fulfillment in giving back.