Taylor is Zonta’s 2025 Woman of the Year
Terry Taylor, the owner of Persona Grata in Shorewood, recently was honored as the 2025 Zonta Club of Joliet’s Woman of the Year.
Sponsored by Cheryl McCarthy, Taylor has been a member since 2016. Persona Grata is a cozy
boutique salon, and her personal stamp is evident not only in the décor, but in the ambience of
the shop.
This is an award for which every member in good standing qualifies. The awardee is voted on by
submissions to the Woman of the Year Committee, with members outlining why the person deserves
the award.
A member can win this award only once during their entire membership. Committee Chair Peggy Field gathers her crew and they review each submission.
Quite often, Field says, “a person jumps out,” but sometimes, “there are several, which makes our job more challenging.”
According to one of the nominations she received, “She is an inspiration to women and girls as a
successful female entrepreneur. She enthusiastically shares Zonta news, events, and projects with
her many female customers, who in turn enthusiastically support our Zonta projects and fundraisers.”
Taylor was instrumental in organizing a project close to her heart: collecting costume jewelry and
setting up displays with gift bags in local schools and other organizations to provide an opportunity for
students and clients to give a unique gift to honor the mothers, aunts, and grandmothers in their lives.
While club members donate the jewelry, Taylor makes it special for the kids with her own artistic
touches. She has co-chaired the club’s successful fundraising committee in the past and continues to
be a creative part of club fundraisers.
Her work with Zonta isn’t limited to fundraising; when she served on the Service & Advocacy Committee, she was instrumental in gathering numerous blankets for the club’s participation in a Project Linus event.
“The Zonta Club of Joliet’s Woman of the Year award is one we take great pride in awarding,” said Outgoing Club President Bonnie Winfrey said.
“Our first Woman of the Year was inducted in 1986, and we welcome Terry Taylor to the list of 39 other honorees.”