Soroptimist in the 1930s*

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1934-1936

Director: Helena M. Gamble, Oakland
Secretary: May McMillan, Oakland
Treasurer: Edith M. Crippen, Berkeley

Helena Gamble, founder member and assistant organizer, had played a key part in extension throughout the SFA during the early years.

Helena's directors' report read as follows: "During my term of service as regional director, there has been a very definite effort made to organize new clubs. Three were organized. One in Phoenix, Arizona brought club contact with more than one state. Five more clubs are in the offing. The total membership in our 23 clubs is approximately 950. Interclub meets in several sections of the region have served to cement the friendship for which we strive.

"It was with a great sense of honor that I accepted the appointment as SFA historian in Washington, D.C., in 1928. Each succeeding federation president has given me great encouragement and assistance. I received the history of most clubs organized for the first nine years and in the American Soroptimist issues of April and May, 1931, these were published."

Helena Gamble was made permanent historian through the carrying of a motion by Harriett P. Tyler, San Francisco, Federation secretary: "In recognition of the fact that she has made a valuable contribution to the federation from its inception and that she compiled an accurate and complete record of the clubs and from their beginnings and has been the federation historian since formation of the federation, I move that Helena M. Gamble's name be submitted to the convention body as historian by the American Federation for the duration of her life."

Helena M. Gamble, known as "The Fairy Godmother of Soroptimism," continued her work on the federation's history, striving to get it published until her death. She was paid special tribute at the federation's Silver Anniversary convention in Estes Park, Colorado in 1946, for her faithful service and devotion to Soroptimism.

* 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".