ZONTA MAKES LITERACY A LOCAL CUASE WITH RECENT CAMPAIGN

The focus this year of Zonta, both locally and internationally, is literacy, says Jane Daume, president of the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau.

Daume, who attended the Zonta International Convention in Detroit, Mich., in July, said one of the goals of Zonta International is that every club promote literacy.

Literacy Awareness Week for Zonta International was Sept. 6-12. The worldwide theme of the program is "Up, Up With Literacy."

"It's important to the Cape club to have its purpose and identity linked in Southeast Missouri with the goal of stamping out illiteracy in the area," Daume said. "Our club wants to be part of any coalition that addresses illiteracy."

Since May the local club has focused on literacy. Several additions to the club's programs have been outlined to promote literacy. Co-chairmen of its literacy committee are Elizabeth Ader and Stephanie Kasten.

Ader said Southeast Missouri poses a challenge to literacy. The 1990 census showed that 19 of 27 counties had illiteracy rates above 15 percent, some of the highest in the state.

This year the Zonta club has allocated 25 percent of its budget -- about $2,500 -- to its literacy committee to carry out its goals.

Ader listed some of the ideas the committee is developing to incorporate literacy efforts into Zonta's existing programs:

-- Provide a literary packet focusing on local and regional literacy services at the public library booth during Cape Girardeau's Riverfest.

-- Have a special drawing and announcement during the Sept. 19 fashion show calling attention to literacy.

-- Offer a scholarship to a student specializing in adult basic education or literacy as a career.

-- Use the YELL edition as an opportunity to publicize Zonta's literacy projects.

-- Provide packets of information about local literacy resources and services during the fire detector program.

-- Have books donated as Christmas gifts for residents of the Boys Group Home.

-- Provide reading materials for educational support at Cottonwood Treatment Center.

-- Use Literacy Week Sept. 6-12, to publicize Zonta's literacy efforts and programs.

-- Ask participants in high-school career days to include reading materials related to their careers and to talk about the importance of reading and reading skills as they relate to specific careers.

-- Purchase books for residents at the Women's Safe House and confer with counselors to select titles.

-- Provide books to give away at the Sunday in the Park program.

"Encouraging adults to read is often a sensitive issue," said Ader, who also serves as director of the Cape Girardeau Public Library. "They are often embarrassed when others find out they can't read. Adults have lots of defensive strategies to cover up their not being able to read. They often feel trapped by the system -- isolated and dependent."

Part of the club's goal is to let adults know where help is available. Encouraging them to seek that help is part of the process. Getting families to read together is another method for helping adults who are illiterate, Ader said.

Zonta International encourages families to read together, Daume said. That helps children to learn the reasons for reading. In the case of an adult having literacy problems, the children can help their parents because juvenile books are easier to read. In addition, there is no embarrassment among family members who are helping one another overcome a difficulty.

The Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau, founded in 1976, has more than 80 professional and executive women from throughout Cape Girardeau, Scott and Perry counties. The club is founded on the principle of service to the community, country and world. The local club contributes about $10,000 per year to charitable causes while contributing about 2,500 hours in community service, Daume said.

"As a women's service organization dedicated to programs that will empower people, there's nothing we can do any better than help people to read," Daume said. "The local Zonta club has lots of professional women as members. We can serve as mentors and role models. Sharing our education with others is what we're all about."