Soroptimist in the 1940s*

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1942-1944

Director: Lola Stanley, Long Beach
Secretary: Helen Daly, Ventura
Treasurer: Esta Imler, Phoenix
Board Members: Mollie Johnson, Sacramento
Rose Vanderburg, San Francisco

Even with war restrictions, 42 of the 48 clubs were represented by 106 delegates at the first conference of the biennium. Regional delegates voted to purchase the first of the two ambulances which were a part of the war effort supported by the region. One was given to the San Pedro Post of Embarkation; the second, which was voted the next year, was given to Oak Knoll Naval Hospital. Venture clubs assisted with this project.

Classifications were frozen by federation action in Cleveland, and Life membership could be granted to an active member of a club for 15 years of continuous service.

The club year was changed, the calendar year to conform to the SFA fiscal year, and presidents elected in December 1942, held office for 18 months.

Harriett Tyler, San Francisco, SFA president, reported acceptance of Director Lola Stanley's suggestion that Founder Day pennies be used to establish a fund to rehabilitate European clubs after the war. This fund was to be known as the Noel Fund in honor of the gallant French Soroptimist and surgeon who established most of the clubs in Europe.

The biennium closed with four new clubs, plus four Venture clubs. Director Lola was elected second vice president of the American Federation and served 1944-46.

* 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".