beginning of Soroptimist*

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Purchase of Name "Soroptimist"

As a result of the work of all the committees appointed and plans that were laid at the first meeting of the west coast clubs, success was attained, but not easily.

Aimed at forming an international Soroptimist organization during the planned June 1927 conference, inquiries were sent to Mr. Morrow seeking his demands for selling his property rights and vested interests in the Soroptimist Club, Inc.

In a letter from Houston, Texas, dated May 30, to Mrs. Mary Dry Boldemann, conference presiding officer, in a disturbed tone over his circumstances, Mr. Morrow wrote: "In considering this question I have had to bear in mind that I have given up my time exclusively for the last six years to founding the Soroptimist club and to the organization and development of its various branches in the United States, Canada, England, and France and that this work has up to this provided merely my actual living and traveling expenses, beyond which I have not even one dollar to show for my six years work ... Apparently, either from a per capita tax or from the purchase of my interests for cash must come any profit accruing to me in the entire matter ... therefore, it appears fitting that I should submit two offers, one in per capita tax, the other for cash, which are as follows:

"(1) For the surrender of all my rights, title and interest in the Soroptimist Club, I will accept a per capita tax of one dollar per annum to continue during my life (I am now seventy-one years of age) obligating myself to establish, maintain and conduct in the city of Los Angeles an office as headquarters of the international association. Or, I will accept a per capita tax of fifty cents per annum for the same period, but without any obligation.

"(2) For the surrender of all my rights, title, and interest in the Soroptimist Club, I will accept the sum of six thousand dollars in cash."

After the discussion at the June 1927 conference in San Francisco, a compromise settlement was approved in the amount of $5,500, to be met before August 1 (only 30 days hence). Eight western U.S.A. clubs underwrote the purchase fund: Alameda County, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.

From a history of the San Francisco club, written October 30, 1931, comes, "San Francisco had the honor and privilege of being one of those eight clubs. Our pro rata was $619.75, which we had to raise during July, our vacation month. This was done by borrowing from two of our members. These loans were repaid with interest, the last payments being made in January 1928. Every Soroptimist club on this continent indicated its intention to share in the purchase price; the European clubs sent a group check as proof of their good faith."

From San Jose's history, written this year, comes, "Our proportionate expense amounted to $389.50, against which we recorded several small refunds the following year, from monies given by the other clubs participating in addition to the original eight."

Morrow lived 10 years past the date of settlement with the Soroptimists.

* 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".