The Zonta International YWPA Program (Young Women in Public Affairs) was established in 1990 to encourage secondary school women, 21 years of age or younger, to pursue careers and leadership positions in social policy-making, government and volunteer organizations. The Zonta International Foundation awards US $500 to each district winner and US $1000 to the international winner. The Minneapolis Zonta Club sends letters to local schools regarding YWPA, requirements and application due date. The committee studies the applications and makes a group decision. Winners of the Minneapolis YWPA are given an award and passed on to the next level (District, National, Intíl). Download application.

Mail application to:
Zonta Service Committee
Scholarship Applications
c/o Michelle Beinner
3708 19th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN  55407

Myrtle Lee was a past president of the Minneapolis Club of Zonta. When she passed away her son donated enough money to the Minneapolis Club to start a scholarship fund in Myrtle's name.  Myrtle had strong feelings in regards to single women with children continuing their post high school education. The members of the Minneapolis Club have continued to honor and respect Myrtle's views regarding women's education.

The criteria for applying for the Myrtle Lee Scholarship is you must be a single mother who is currently enrolled, or who can show proof of pre-enrollment, into continuing education after high school. 
 
In 2006, Zonta distributed applications for this award exclusively to women living at the Jeremiah Program because they so closely fit the criteria for Myrtle Lee.

The Amelia Earhart Fund supports the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program, which awards grants to women who are pursuing advanced degrees in aerospace- related sciences and engineering. The Foundation board determines the number of grants awarded each year based on contributions received. The role of the Minneapolis Club is to advertise the scholarship in our area. Committee members send a message to the Aerospace and Materials Science Engineering Department and the Science and Engineering mailing lists announcing the scholarship, encouraging grad students to apply. They also provide the web site where they can find more details and applications. Zonta Minneapolis selects three women from the local applicants and sends a cover letter highlighting the fact that these women from our area have won. International makes the final scholarship selection and if someone in our area wins, we invite that person to a meeting and present the prize. Download Application.