History

Zonta International was founded in 1919 in the United States.

Finland was the eighth country to join Zonta International. The first Zonta club in Finland was established in Helsinki in 1934. For a long time, it was known as the Thursday Club. From 1962 to 1986, Finland belonged to District XIII, which comprised the countries of Northern Europe, until the district division was changed in 1986 so that Finland and Estonia now form District 20. The first club in Estonia was established in Tartu in 1991.

We Finnish Zontians are particularly proud that three prominent Finnish Zontians have served as presidents of our international organisation: Minister Helvi Sipilä from 1968 to 1970, Annikki Mäkinen from 1984 to 1986 and Salla Tuominen from 2024 to 2026.

Helvi Sipilä was the first president elected from outside the United States. During her term, the organisation’s activities expanded to Africa. Helvi Sipilä’s motto during her presidency was “Widening our vistas for the Service of Mankind”, Annikki Mäkinen’s motto was “Growth and Progress through Personal Involvement” and Salla Tuominen´s motto was “Build a better World for Women and Girls”.