beginning of Soroptimist*

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Spectacular Growth

From the beginning, Southwestern region accepted challenges that extend Soroptimism and promote its ideals and has usually "led the action".

At the formation convention in Washington, D.C., in 1928, Federation President Ruby Lee Minar offered an award to the director whose district organized the greatest number of clubs. During that first biennium - 1928-1929 - eleven new clubs were organized, eight of which were in Southwestern district. Mae Hutchins, Southwestern district director, won the award of $100 in gold coins.

Blanche Edgar, Sacramento club charter member, served as Southwestern regional (district) director in 1930-1932. She also cherishes another honor - the record of having helped organize 103 clubs, some outside of Southwestern region (including Tokyo, Japan). Hence, for years, Blanche has been known as "Mrs. Extension" and identified by her slogan, which she loves to yell, - "TimbeR-R-R !!!"

Largely due to "Mrs. Extension's" efforts, by 1951, Southwestern region had grown to 118 clubs and to 131 by the end of that biennium (June 30, 1952). Division was inevitable and so decided by convention action, July 1952, with 67 clubs to the south making up Pacific region and the remaining 64 in northern California, northern Nevada and Hawaii retaining the name "Southwestern".

Steady growth has continued, with only slight recessions in membership from time to time. Business or growth developments caused a loss of four clubs during the years, but two were gained by a boundary change that added all of Nevada to the region, and three new clubs were added, therefore on October 3, 1971, Southwestern Region proudly listed 134 clubs, making it the largest region both in clubs and membership in the federation.

* 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".