HERSTORY: Soroptimist International

The first Soroptimist club was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California, by a group of
business and professional women who were interested in volunteer service but who were
prohibited from joining all-male service organizations. The name Soroptimist—a coined
term interpreted as “best for women,” was chosen for the new club. Other clubs quickly
formed in North America, and in 1923 the first club in Europe was established. The first
clubs provided women business owners, managers and professionals in different
occupational areas the opportunity to meet, and to work together in their communities. In
1928, the individual Soroptimist clubs in North America banded together to create a
federation of Soroptimist clubs, now called Soroptimist International of the Americas.
As Soroptimist clubs spread throughout North America in the years before World War II,
they attracted outstanding women in the community, such as Bertha Knight Landes, the
first woman elected as the mayor of a major American city (Seattle in 1925), and Mercy
Ellen Crehan of Vancouver, British Columbia, the first woman certified accountant in
Canada. Soroptimist projects and programs often focused on helping other women in the
community, especially in the aftermath of the Great Depression. The war years provided
additional opportunities for Soroptimists to assist women. For instance, one project
focused on aiding with the Lanchow Nursing School in China, while others assisted
women in gaining employment.
In the aftermath of World War II, Soroptimist began extending membership into
communities in Central and South America, beginning with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At this
time, members also began contributing one penny for each year of Soroptimist’s existence
to the Founders Week fund (now the Program Service Fund), which provided fellowships
to women working in rare, distinctive and pioneering fields. Soroptimist also sponsored the
Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania during the 1950s with a $25,000 fund, and
later sponsored research at the University of Toronto on the plight of the white-collar
woman worker.
Following the expansion of membership to women in Japan, Korea, and the Philippines in
the 1960s, Soroptimist began to develop additional programs to assist women. In
1972, the Women’s Opportunity Awards (now “Live Your Dream”) were established to
provide cash grants to increase the job skills for women who are the sole source of
financial support for their families. The celebration of International Women’s Year in 1975
and the U.N. Decade for Women 1975-1985 sparked the formation of what is now called
the Ruby Award for Women Helping Women program, which recognizes women who work
to improve women’s economic, legal, and societal standing.
During the 1990s, and into the 21st century, Soroptimist consolidated its programming to
focus solely on improving the lives of women and girls. The Women’s Opportunity Awards,
Present day Live Your Dream continues to be the organization’s major service project.
The Violet Richardson Award—named for the first president of the first Soroptimist
club—was established to recognize outstanding volunteer efforts of young women ages 14-17.

Present day the Dream It, Be It Program was established for ages 14-18. This
program focusses on career support for girls.
The elimination of domestic violence against women became a major focus and included
compiling a legislative guide on domestic violence laws in all the countries with members
in Soroptimist International of the Americas. Domestic violence programs in Ecuador,
Paraguay, and the Philippines received funds to help improve access to services for
women in those countries, and programs in lower Manhattan received significant funding
following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City. Clubs now participate
in the Big Goal Accelerator Project. This Program work with women and girls who are
facing obstacles and to provide them access to education that will lead to economic
empowerment.
The Soroptimist organization also provides grants to clubs for innovative community
programs that improve conditions for women and girls. There is also a Disaster
Relief program to assist women in areas of the world stricken by tragedy.
After more than 100 plus years providing projects and programming that benefit women
and girls in communities and all over the world, Soroptimist has proven to do What is Best
for Women.