Soroptimist in the 1940s*

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In the '40s service efforts were turned toward immediate war work, as shocked America reeled under the devastating bombing of Pearl Harbor. Red Cross, Service Chest, High Sea Gifts, USO, and YMCA work was undertaken with redoubled efforts. Soroptimists uncomplaining took up unaccustomed jobs to keep the ships, tanks, planes and supplies rolling, while in their hearts were silent hopes and a fervent prayer for the return of their loved ones. Ambulances and station wagons bearing the Soroptimist name were transporting military men from bases to hospitals. Soroptimists manned USO Community Canteens and Lookout Stations. Honolulu Club headed the evacuation immediately after the Pearl Harbor disaster. Hospital equipment of all kinds were donated. There were "Packages for England", "Bundles for Holland", Chinese Relief, (AFA fund for Mule Back Nurses of China) hundreds of wheelchairs donated to returning veterans, and projects too many to name.

At long last the tide of events began to turn in 1944, as America took heart with the Normandy Invasion and the Battle for Leyte. Southwestern Soroptimists gave freely of their "Founder Pennies" to a fund (first known as the Madame Noel Fund) for the purpose of re-establishment of clubs in war-torn Europe. Events moved fast in 1945 - the Yalta conference and the Charter adoption in San Francisco in June; the surrender of Japan in August 1945.

The happier years from 1946-1950 saw the club activities turn quickly to peace. Scholarship programs increased in number. The Regional Fellowship program began in 1948 for women graduate students at universities. It was in 1948, too, that Southwestern region purchased a Redwood Grove of forty acres in Prairie Creek area, on highway 101, north of Eureka.

Club service went forward with the '40s.

• Santa Rosa instituted the Sonoma County Fair nursery for children from three to six years of age (care of children when parents attended the fair). It still operates with Soroptimist volunteer supervision.
• Vallejo collected and shipped English language classics to Russia.
• Sacramento furnished musical instruments for a Lincoln School band.
• Modesto and Napa sponsored youth centers.
• Berkeley and Visalia sponsored Girl Scouts.
• Fresno, a midsummer formal ball for servicemen, and
• Eureka became known for its dental fund.

* 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".