New member Fiona Chen (ctr) is welcomed to Zonta Club of the SCV by Sue Hayward (l), second vice president/membership, and sponsor Ronnie Erickson.

Zonta Club of SCV welcomed three new members at its June business meeting: Aazam Irillian, sponsored by past president Adele Macpherson; Carolyn Jacques, sponsored by president-elect Judy Penman; and Fiona Chen, sponsored by long-time member Ronnie Erickson. The club, one of the fastest growing in the United States, plans to welcome two more new members at its September meeting, after a two-month summer hiatus, according to Sue Hayward, second vice president/membership.

Aazam is a professional artist who has exhibited her paintings in numerous galleries throughout Southern California, as well as Oregon. Founder of trademarked Heal the heART program, she is also an art educator and coach with a master’s degree in art education. She is also certified both as a practitioner in Therapeutic Imagery and Social Emotional Arts (SEA) for healing.

Aazam has been sharing her passion for the expressive arts with students of all ages and diverse populations for close to 30 years. In her workshops and private sessions, Aazam uses visualization, expressive arts and creative writing as tools for personal healing.

Carolyn and her husband, Paul, moved to Santa Clarita Valley from Glendale in 1990. They have a grown son and daughter, both graduates of Valencia High School and college, now actively working in careers in their chosen fields. During her first 14 years in the SCV, Carolyn was a stay-at-home mom, volunteering with Girl Scouts of America and St. Kateri Church.

She worked as a caregiver for Comfort Keepers for 10 years, earning her real estate license in 2006 and working at transaction coordinating. She has worked for several real estate professionals locally and currently is working with her husband in their software and health care sales and distribution business.

Membership Chair Susan Hayward (l) completes induction ceremonies for two new members and their sponsors (l-r) Judy Penman, Carolyn Jacques, Adele Macpherson and Aazam Irillian.

Carolyn’s favorite forms of recreation are traveling, reading, watching British crime drama, gardening, cooking and relaxing with family and friends.

Fiona was born and raised in Communist China, where her family suffered political persecution because her father was critical of the communist party. After completing college, she found a high-paying job, but found herself unable to live with the Big Brother communist government always breathing down her back. When her first son, Lawrence, was born, she emigrated to Canada and freedom.

In Vancouver, Fiona worked in an oversea Chinese television station as a reporter and producer. She focused on exposing the evil of the Chinese Communist Party and the crimes it committed against the Chinese people and the free world. Before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Fiona produced a four-episode documentary film based on the life of former Chinese professional basketball player Kai Chen, whom she married in 2014.

She moved to the United States with her husband and three children and now lives in Canyon Country, where she has her own home studio, Liberty Bell Production. Kai and Fiona are both on the Communist Party black list, but she refuses to be intimidated. “I feel I have a moral duty to continue my work,” she exclaims.

The three new members bring the SCV Zonta Club membership close to 70 members, making it one of the largest in the western world. Although the club is formally dark during July and August, Hayward has planned a number of social events to keep members connected and help introduce the new and prospective members to their new Zonta “sisters.”

The summer calendar includes the annual meeting of Zonta Club of SCV Foundation, a dinner meeting at the home of Foundation President Mary Ree on July 20. Member Suzie Alziebler will host a reception on Saturday, July 23, for club member Sharon Langenbeck, who is running for a key position with Zonta International.

The club’s annual Summer Social will be held July 31 at Reyes Winery, and the Celebration of Life Sock Hop and Dinner is scheduled for the Elk’s Club on Saturday, Aug. 27. A Women’s Showcase will allow Zonta members to spotlight their skills and business connections to each other on July 13.

Some committees will continue to meet throughout the summer, including the one planning Zonta’s major fund-raiser, the Celebrity Tribute dinner scheduled for Nov. 4 at the Hyatt Valencia.