"Sister Carol Ann Petersen Chosen Zonta 2011 "Woman of Achievement"
February 3, 2011

Sister Carol Ann Petersen has been awarded the 2011 "Woman of Achievement" award from the Zonta International chapters in metropolitan Kansas City. It was given at the Amelia Earhart Luncheon on January 22 in recognition of her work in leading the Keeler Women's Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Zonta, of which Earhart was a member, is a global organization that seeks to advance the status of women worldwide by improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and status of women through service and advocacy. Among their many activities, the aviation connection is maintained through the fellowships given annually to women pursuing graduate studies in aerospace science or engineering.

Sister Carol Ann is the founder and director of Keeler Women's Center which is sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas. According to Dawna Adams-Davis, who presented the award, "The Zonta Woman of Achievement Award is given to a woman in the metropolitan area who has made a difference in the lives of women through her profession or in community service. The committee of six women from the three active metro area Zonta clubs recognized that the mission of Sister Carol Ann and the Keeler Women’s Center, that of empowering women in the urban core of Kansas City through education, advocacy, personal and spiritual development, was a perfect match."

Sister Carol Ann was grateful to be recognized by such an important organization. "Zonta International is known for their work with women especially in the area of education and advocacy. Past recipients include women who are well known in the Kansas City area for their work in advancing the cause of women," she observed. "It is an honor to receive such a prestigious award by an organization whose mission so closely parallels Keeler Women's Center's mission of empowering women."

Photo: Jane Miller (l.) of Zonta, Sister Carol Ann (c.) receiving award from Dawna Adams-Davis (r.)