beginning of Soroptimist*

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The Soroptimist Emblem

Mrs. Anita Houts Thompson, founder member, whose Soroptimist classification was "designing and engraving", submitted an emblem design, in competition with others, which was adopted as the official Soroptimist emblem. This now is our official emblem, used on all Soroptimist pins and Soroptimist stationery.

In searching through the archives while preparing for the 50th Anniversary activities and history, it was learned quite by accident that Anita Houts Thompson's grandson resides in Reno, Nevada.

Doris O'Connor, past Reno club president, was on her way to her club's installation when a young man (seeing her pin) approached her with great enthusiasum about Soroptimism. "My grandmother designed the Soroptimist emblem," he said. Doris couldn't believe her ears. But later, when he presented her with a faded envelope of old clippings and letters, she knew that she had found gold.

Among the letters was one written to Helena Gamble by Anita Thompson, which reads in part:

"Jennie Todd, then our Alameda County president, appointed a committee of three to design something reflecting our aims and ideals. As the writer's claassification was that of designing and engraving, the other committee members left the matter to me.

"Needless to say that in the work of love, I put forth my best efforts to produce a worthy design. After much thought, and with the asisistance of an artist to make concrete my ideas, the design was ready for submission. It met with unanimous approval of our local club and was sent to Washington D.C., to take its place with other competitive designs. There again, it met with unanimous approval and was adopted officially.

"The design, as you know, represents womanhood with her arms uplifted in a gesture of freedom and acceptance of the responsibilities of the best and highest good. The leaves and the acorns represent the strength of our organization and the leaves of the laurel typify victory and achievement."

From Juneau, Alaska, Martha Edwards, Soroptimist club president, wrote, "We are proud possessors of the original mold of the Soroptimist emblem. The original mold of the plaque was sculptured by the late Victor Alonza Lewis of Juneau, nationally known artist. His daughter, Mrs. Chairman Gross, a former resident of Juneau, found the mold in her father's affects and presented it to the Soroptiist Club of Juneau in May, 1950."

According to other documents among historic files, this emblem was selected from among 18 entries.

The story of the emblem, as interpreted by Patricia Calhoun, has been reproduced and printed at all levels in Soroptimist literature. Many clubs and members have in their possession parchment copies of the narrative on the emblem, which had been signed and presented to them by Helena Gamble, founder member who had attained the distinction of being named Federation historian for life.

* 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".