Founder Region History

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Charter Member Adelaide E. Goddard, one of the 'original eight' attendees of the "First Meeting of Members - Committee Luncheon" (Venus Cafe, June 21, 1921) Charter Member Violet Richardson (Ward) , who later became our 'Founder President' Helena M. Gamble, the first Soroptimist Secretary, later became 'Historian for Life'. Eloise B. Cushing, one of the architects of the first club's constitution and bylaws

The list below is a summary of the contents of the Soroptimist 50th Anniversary book as printed by Southwestern Region in 1971, and later updated by Founder Region for the the 75th Anniversary of Soroptimist in 1996. Over time, each of the entries on the list will lead to a page as we add the history book to this site.

• Acknowledgements
• Charter
• The Birth of An Idea
• Beginning of Soroptimist
  • The First Club
  • The First Regions
  • Purchase of Name 'Soroptimist'
  • American Federation Formed
  • The Soroptimist Emblem
  • Spectacular Growth
  • Beginning of Soroptimist International Association
• Soroptimist Redwood Memorial Grove
• 1920s
  • 1927-1928 Jeannie G. Todd, Alameda County, Director
  • 1928-1930 Mae Wright Hutchins, San Jose, Director
• 1930s
  • 1930-1932 Blanche O. Edgar, Sacramento, Director
  • 1932-1934 Amelia F. Johnson, Los Angeles, Director
  • 1934-1936 Helena M. Gamble, Oakland, Director
  • 1936-1938 Mayme V. Matthay, Los Angeles, Director
  • 1938-1940 Alta D. Hengy, Oroville, Director
• 1940s
  • 1940-1942 Lessie M. Hancock, San Jose, Director
  • 1942-1944 Lols Stanley, Long Beach, Director
  • 1944-1946 Edith B. Kelley, Sacramento, Director
  • 1946-1948 Dr. Ruth S. Thomas (Heitfeld), Chico, Director
  • 1948-1950 Emily N. Ziegler, San Diego, Director
• 1950s
  • 1950-1952 Ruth G. White, M.D., Whittier, Director
  • 1952-1954 Josephine Deterding, Sacramento, Governor
  • 1954-1956 Mary Overhouse, Salinas, Governor
  • 1956-1958 Robina Sleeper, Sacramento, Governor
  • 1958-1960 Grace Patton, Stockton, Governor
• 1960s
  • 1960-1962 Mary Lorentzen-Moser, Layfayette-Orinda, Governor
  • 1962-1964 Evelyn Holland, Woodland, Governor
  • 1964-1966 Mary Ellen George, San Jose, Governor
  • 1966-1968 Mary Gianotti, El Cerrito, Governor
  • 1968-1970 Matie Barker, Sparks, Governor
• 1970s
  • 1970-1972 Charlotte Chichester, Delano, Governor
  • 1972-1974 Julia 'Bess' Combs, Antioch, Governor
  • 1974-1976 Margaret 'Maggie' Knott, Governor
  • 1976-1978 Violet Unland, Oakland, Governor
  • 1978-1980 Catherine (Jordan) Burns, Eureka, Governor
• 1980s
  • 1980-1982 Marjorie Conley, Santa Rosa, Governor
  • 1982-1984 Patricia Daniels, Santa Rosa, Governor
  • 1984-1986 Del Nickerson, Concord, Governor
  • 1986-1988 Carol Steele, Fort Bragg, Governor
  • 1988-1990 Susan (Lompa) Joyce, Richmond, Governor
• 1990s
  • 1990-1992 Lorraine Komor, Santa Rosa, Governor
  • 1992-1994 Dorothy Avilla, Livermore, Governor
  • 1994-1996 Patti Cross, Martinez, Governor
  • 1996-1998 Nancy Walker, Concord, Governor
  • 1998-2000 Linda McDoniels, St. Helena Sunrise, Governor
• 2000s
  • 2000-2002 Carol Rose, El Pinablo, Governor
  • 2002-2004 Mary Ann Redden, Antioch, Governor
  • 2004-2006 Cathy Mitchell, Cloverdale, Governor
  • 2006-2008 Sue Finch, Eel River Valley, Governor
  • 2008-2010 Amelia Benko, , Governor