She did a postgraduate in Mexico and a master's degree from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO).

[1] She would bring pressure to bear on authority using International agreements that had been made at for instance the Andean Parliament.

[2] Her work led to improvements in the State Police Constitution[2] and she was a noted supporter of trade unions.

[5] In 2005, a bust was unveiled to remember Zonia Palán because of her defense of women's labour rights and of encouraging gender equality.

Councilors Sandy Avalos and Carolina Garcés were at the unveiling as well as María Elena Montero of the Foundation for Legal Support and Training for Women, Children and Adolescents (FALYC-MNA) and Rebeca Díaz from the Tungurahua Women's Coordinator.