100 Years of Impact: SI/Portland, OR
This week marks the 100th anniversary of the chartering of SI/Portland, OR (Northwestern Region) on February 9, 1926! As the thirteenth club worldwide, its founding was a significant moment in the organization’s early history.
The club was organized by Leah Thies under the direction of Soroptimist’s original club organizer, Stuart Morrow. The first meeting to introduce the club took place on September 28, 1925, at the Portland Elk’s temple, with 21 women agreeing to become charter members. The club met weekly, often with speakers from other community groups or visiting Soroptimists. Portland’s own Estes Snedecor, the 1920-1921 President of Rotary International, urged the new club’s charter members in November 1925 that “Service, not self, should be the ultimate life aim.” Another speaker was Saidie Orr-Dunbar, a state officer of the Oregon Federation of Women’s Clubs.
The Oregon Daily Journal (Portland, Oregon) · Tue, Sep 29, 1925 · Page 10
In late November, the club appointed members as group captains, a position that helped motivate the members assigned to them to attend the weekly club meetings. By early January, the club held a closed meeting for the membership to review a first draft of the club’s governing documents. The officers were elected on February 2nd and the charter closed with 70 members.
The thirteenth Soroptimist club charter in the world was presented to the club’s president, Oliver Lutz at the banquet held on February 9th. Thirteen Soroptimist members from the newly formed Seattle club, the California Soroptimist club organizer and later federation historian Helena Gamble attended the ceremony.
After receiving its charter, the club settled into its early civic work, which included establishing a penny fund collection at each meeting. These funds gave emergency assistance to deserving persons and sent under-privileged girls to the Y.W.C.A. summer camp. In 1927, the club was actively involved in buying out Stuart Morrow, the original organizer of Soroptimist, which placed the clubs directly in the control of women. Following this expenditure, the club focused on scholarships to the Junior Symphony orchestra, and assisting with furniture and food for the Women’s Convalescent Home.
From its earliest history, SI/Portland has served the women and girls of Portland and has had dedicated members serve as region governors and federation officers. Congratulations and thank you to the members—past and present— for 100 years of service empowering women and girls.
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