beginning of Soroptimist*

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American Federation Formed

At a meeting held June 4-5, 1928, in Washington, D.C., the American Federation of Soroptimist Clubs was formed, with two-year terms and a convention each biennium. There were 31 delegates from 14 clubs within the United States and one in Canada, who took part in this action. They were from five districts with a total of 15 clubs, of which seven were from Southwestern district (region).

It is in order to state here, that, since Soroptimism began in Alameda county, since Southwestern region was the home of four of the first ten clubs - Alameda County, San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento - and since the first vice president, Jennie Todd, was a charter member of the "Mother" club, the region's history is inseparable from that of the Soroptimist Federation of the America's, Inc. Therefore, it is important that the story of Southwestern Region include the early history of Soroptimism.

At this first Federation convention in Washington, D.C., the "Soroptimist Emblem" was adopted. Its story, too, is sacred to Southwestern Region.

* 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".