Soroptimist in the 1930s*

home  about SIFR  Founder Region History1930's

1930-1932

Director: Blanche O. Edgar, Sacramento
Secretary: Lillian Kelson, Stockton
Treasurer: Inez Smith, Bakersfield

Extension was Blanche Edgar's strong point, even in the early days of Soroptimist work. She had compiled the first Extension pamphlets and had one club (Marysville) to her credit before becoming the regional director. The 15 clubs in the region as of July, 1930, were increased to 20 during the biennium. Four of these were in California and one in Salt Lake, Utah.

While extension on the local level was the responsibility of club representatives, the regional directors did most of the contact work and organization of new clubs, mostly at her own expense. Her total clerical allowance for the two years was $20.

In addition to her duties as director, Blanche found time to organize the Salt Lake City club, at the request of Federation President Bertha K. Landis.

Reported cost of operating the federation and a deficit in the federation treasury brought a motion to endorse a plan that the regions pay to the federation, $5 from each new member fee.

Each president gave a verbal report of the growth and service of her club. Now that the growing pains were easing, the reports showed greater stress on service. Clubs on a local level supported the federation project of planting trees to commemorate the George Washington bi-centennial.

Director Blanche was elected secretary of the federation for the 1932-34 biennium at the American Federation Convention in Sacramento.

* reprinted from Southwestern Region's history book entitled "Out Where It All Began" written and compiled for a celebration of Soroptimist's 50th anniversary in 1971 and updated and reprinted in 1996 for the celebration of Soroptimist's 75th anniversary, prepared by the Founder Region 75th Anniversary Committee and entitled Founder Region "The Way It Was".