Soroptimist in the 1950s*

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During the early '50s Armistice talks bogged down in Korea and Southwestern Region was "bogging down" under torrential rains. Severe losses were felt in Marysville-Yuba City, Santa Cruz, Humboldt and Sonoma Counties. Soroptimists were on the spot with housing, food, clothing and medical supplies for flood victims, Again Soroptimists helped Soroptimists. After the floods, the mountain areas were devastated by forest fires. Soroptimists again were prepared to give service.

A new Southwestern Region project was established - the Eye Bank. Hundreds of Soroptimists have willed their eyes so "others may see".

The Space Age began in 1957 as the Russians launched their Sputniks - with and without dogs. Soroptimists were busy keeping their feet on the ground and were busy accomplishing their earthly missions. Forty-six clubs were chartered. "Soroptimist Only" service projects were given emphasis.

Clubs making headlines in their communities were:

• Santa Rosa for sponsoring the Sonoma County Heart and Sonoma County Nurses associations;
• Vallejo, Napa, Albany, Turlock, Chico, Manteca, Fresno, Marysville, Yuba City, Placerville, Redding, South Lake Tahoe, and Santa Rosa gave hundreds of dollars to hospitals for equipment;
• San Jose, West of Twin Peaks and Richmond supported Sheltered Workshops;
• Reno and San Francisco gave resuscitators for the Fire departments;
• St. Helena built a swimming pool;
• East Oakland sponsored a school for mentally retarded children; and
• clubs throughout the region sponsored Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, Brownies and Blue Birds.

During this decade Fresno was given the Woman's Home Companion award for their "Girl of the Month" project.

* 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".