Lisa Lesniak

As a member of our Club’s Advocacy Committee, Lisa Lesniak coordinated a year-long legislative action to eliminate child marriage in Colorado. Her work began last fall, before our 2025-26 Colorado Legislative Session, as she secured legislative sponsors, rallied Zontians around Colorado, inspired speakers at committee hearings, and coordinated work with allies and opponents, including the Zonta USA Caucus and Unchained At Last. Through Lisa’s commitment, Senate Bill 26-048 became a reality. Along the way, she arranged for The Advocacy Committee's legislative breakfast in July, introduced the Club to two elected officials at the November Club meeting, conducted training for the Boulder High School Pantherz ZClub on the legislative process, and coordinated “Zonta Day” at the Capitol in April.

For many years, Zonta International has fought against child marriage worldwide. In the United States, the Zonta USA Caucus looks to Zontians like Lisa to initiate legislation action state-by-state. We know \ the harm caused to children through these marriages is significant, and a law of this kind would regulate and prevent these detrimental practices. In fact, the United Nations and the US State Department both call marriage under the age of 18 a human rights abuse because of its catastrophic harms to girls’ health, education, and economic opportunities, and the violation of girls’ sexual and reproductive rights around the elimination of Child Marriage.

Unfortunately, by May 2026, several amendments were added to SB 26-048 that Lisa and our committee did not find consistent with our intent. So, Lisa worked to prevent it from moving forward with the changes, and in true “Lisa fashion”, she is prepared to lead the charge for 2027!

Congratulations, Lisa! We’re thrilled to have you as a Member of Zonta Foothills.