Soroptimist in the 1950s*

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1954-1956

Governor: May Overhouse, Salinas
Secretary: Gladys Seymour, Fresno
Treasurer: Dorothy Osborns, Placerville

THEME: "THE JOY OF ACHIEVEMENT - CHALLENGES MET, PROJECTS COMPLETED"

Emphasis this biennium was especially given to "Soroptimist Only" projects; to meet community needs; to sponsoring "Second Horizon" groups; to Eye Bank contributions; and to "Soroptimist Assimilation" (education).

District meetings developed into workshops, directed by "teams of consultants" giving members the opportunity to listen to experts, to discuss club problems, and to share Soroptimist experiences.

It was in this biennium, December 1955, that torrential rains fell on California and brought disaster to many areas of the region. In each of these areas, where there was a club, money poured in from clubs throughout the federation to help relieve Soroptimists communities, which suffered severe damage.

The first memorial service was held in the Redwood Grove.

Eight clubs were chartered this 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".