Soroptimist in the 1960s*

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1968-1970

Governor: Matie Barker, Sparks
Secretary: Flora Critchlow, Livermore
Treasurer: Lois Sundborg Gustafson, Antioch

THEME: "ON THE BEAM TODAY FOR TOMORROW"
Slogan: "SOROPTIMISTS THINK BIG"

Southwestern came to the front in Youth Projects, the new area (program) of Soroptimist activity, with the addition of 14 "S" clubs and two Sigma societies. Muriel Morse, SFA president, invited four "S" clubs and one Sigma Society girl to participate in the SFA convention in St. Louis in July, 1970.

A Human Rights committee came into being, at the suggestion of the SFA; IGU added support for the Indians; the education committee published a compact-size handbook with an extension supplement; and the 50th Anniversary committee opened the last conference with a "Roaring '20s Fun Night" to inspire enthusiasm for the Golden Jubilee, at club level.

The program and activities for the Golden Jubilee year began to take shape. A multiflora begonia was named "Lady Soroptimist" for the Santa Cruz club. A golden orchid was named "Lovely Mists" for the lovely Soroptimists of North San Mateo county. Each of these flowers were presented to federation officers at the St. Louis convention. Preliminary work was done on a Bronze Portrait of Violet Richardson Ward, Soroptimist's first president. The region led with substantial contributions for the SFA float for the 1971 Tournament of Roses parade, in Pasadena, California.

In addition, members and clubs rose immediately to the last "SOS for aid to earthquake victims in Peru, both with dollars for the SFA-chosen school rebuilding project and many other emergency items that were needed.

Besides the "S" clubs and Sigma societies, four Venture and four Soroptimist clubs (including one of each in Hawaii) were chartered and Southwestern region acquired all of the state of Nevada through a regional boundary change.

Conference registration fees were increased, by conference approval of the budget, which had been revised to set up Hawaii as a separate area of District II.

* 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".