The first Soroptimist club began in Oakland, CA, October 23, 1921 with 80 charter members, founded by Stuart Morrow (an organizer of men’s service clubs). The first club in England was in London in 1923.
We are one of the fifteen original clubs charted by Stuart Morrow. We bought our rights from him along with eight other clubs in 1927.
Our 75th Anniversary in 2001 was in the Crystal Ball Room at the Benson Hotel, which is the same room where we celebrated our charter gala in 1926.
First Female Judge in Oregon, Jane Spurlin; charter member.
First Senior Center in the US began the study for the elderly, opened by Dorothea Lensch, Director of Parks and Recreation.
Soroptimist ran the program for ten years.
Congresswoman Edith Green (honorary member in the 1970’s).
Eva C Meyers, wife of Fred Meyers, established our birthday fund that still exists today.
Her passion: unwed mothers of The Salvation Army White Shield.
Our History in Portland has left a few landmarks with a bench at Doernbecker Hospital, the Overlook House; a private home of a charter member and dairy owner donated to Parks & Recreation, the Book Shelf at Timberline Lodge by a charter member who loved books, and a room with a plaque on the door at White Shields thanks to Eva C Meyers.
1926 - Present
• Doernbecker 1930’s
• Edgefield Manor
• Fire Department 1940’s
• Joy Toy 1940
• Red Cross
• Timberline Lodge
• The Salvation Army White Shield 1950
• The Rose Festival
• Safeway Jantzen Beach†2000 - Present
• Campships 1930’s - Present
• Loaves & Fishes - Present
Today’s Focus: Human rights and the status of women through our awards programs for women, domestic violence, mentoring programs for young girls, campships, literacy and senior program.