Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley host Women of the Year award event on International Women's Day

The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley, USA, awarded Dr. Christina Royal its first-ever Woman of the Year award. The organization recognizes and celebrates Christina's accomplishments and legacy, highlighting her leadership and innovation in meeting the needs of vulnerable local populations.

This year's theme was "innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls." The club felt Christina was a role model in this theme. She is the fourth president in the 77-year history of Holyoke Community College and is not only the first woman to hold the position but the first openly gay and first bi-racial person to serve.

"Women have such incredible talents and capabilities, and it feels so wonderful to be living in a time when those are being recognized in so many different ways," said Christina. "It's wonderful to be in this position at a time when representation matters more than ever."