Soroptimist in the 1940s*

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1948-1950

Director: Emily N. Ziegler, San Diego
Secretary: Marie Graves, Oakland
Treasurer: Jo Deterding, Sacramento
Board Members: Jimmie Beronio, El Centro
Alida Dysen, Los Angeles

War restrictions in 1944-46 necessitated smaller (area) meetings with less travel. These became the fall district meetings. These meetings were under the direction of the secretary, treasurer, and two board members, each in her own area.

At the April, 1949 conference, 90 of the 95 clubs were represented by 241 delegates, Presidents' reports were not given orally at the conference, but a copy was prepared and given each club.

For the first time it was possible to obtain federation supplies through the regional secretary, and a display of material at the conference received much attention.

There had been tremendous growth in the region during the past ten years. This again was made possible through extension under the direction of Blanche Edgar, who organized 22 clubs during the biennium, making a total of 116 clubs as of June 30, 1950.

Director Emily was elected federation secretary to serve during 1950-52. Later she went on to serve as second vice president, 1952-54, and as first vice president in 1954-56. She served as president of the federation during the 1956-58 biennium.

* 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".