Zonta Club of Melbourne Names ‘Zontian Of The Year’

By  //  June 1, 2012

'Inspirational Member'

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Claire Ellis, the co-owner of Turtle Mound Flutes, was named Zontian of the Year 2011-12 on Thursday by the Zonta Club of Melbourne.

Zonta Club of Melbourne members Lola Mitchell, left, and Gail Cordial, right, congratulate Claire Ellis for winning "Zontian of the Year." (Image courtesy Zonta Club of Melbourne)

Ellis is a longtime Zontian who previously served as president of the club. She was nominated for the award by club member Lola Mitchell, owner of Career Transition Consulting, who called Ellis “inspirational.”

Key activities

Ellis has been involved in many aspects of Zonta’s work this year, including efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking, supporting the Salvation Army’s Pridmore Center, working with Florida Tech’s Women’s Business Center and helping to coordinate the Zonta Club of Melbourne’s annual Chocolate Festival fundraiser.

The honor was presented by Gail Cordial, current club president and executive director of Florida Partners in Crisis.

Brooke Deratany Goldfarb is welcomed as a new member of the Zonta Club of Melbourne by Claire Ellis, left, and club president Gail Cordial. (Image courtesy Zonta Club of Melbourne)

Newest member

Also at the meeting, Brooke Deratany Goldfarb was inducted as a new member.

Goldfarb is an attorney and owner of Peaceful Beach Mediation.

The Zonta Club of Melbourne, member of Zonta International, was chartered in 1983. The club participates in service project and scholarships advancing the status of women, globally, nationally and locally.

More information is available by visiting the club’s website at  ZontaSpaceCoast.org