Event Raises Money For Women’s Group

About 30 people pulled on their boots and donned their dancing clothes for a Sunday afternoon at a country and Western barbecue to raise money for the Ventura County chapter of a women’s activist group.

The barbecue at a Somis ranch was the first fund-raising event for the local chapter of Zonta International, an organization whose mission is to improve the status of women.

“This organization is about promoting women’s issues and rights in Ventura County,” said club president Loma Siegel, who is also a member of the Ventura County Commission for Women. “We felt this was a good year to start up something like this here. It’s needed.”

Held at the spacious Somis home of Zonta board member Louann Davis, the event was replete with a chuck-wagon barbecue and the live music of the Rhythm Rangers, a Ventura County-based country and Western band.

“It’s a great day for a barbecue and it’s a great day to raise funds for what I think is a very good cause,” Davis said.

Sunday’s informal fund-raiser was expected to net the club about $800, officials said.

Zonta board member Carole Power said the Ventura County chapter was established in March and meets monthly at the Tower Club at the Oxnard Financial Center.

Power said the club is oriented toward professional women, but considers all applicants interested in furthering the status of women in the county. For more information call 648-2600.