A Century of Impact: 100 Years of SI/Vancouver, BC
Congratulations to SI/Vancouver, British Columbia (Western Canada Region), on the 100th anniversary of its chartering on April 9, 1926. As the first Soroptimist club in Canada and the 13th in North America, SI/Vancouver has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s early growth and legacy.
Check out the key moments that have defined a century of service and impact for the club.
November 1925
Stuart Morrow, the original organizer of the early Soroptimist clubs, chose Clara Davies of Vancouver to lead the chartering efforts. Newspaper accounts show the club’s organizing efforts began in early November 1925 with a slightly different model than earlier clubs.
Late 1925 – Early 1926
Biweekly Saturday luncheons were held on Saturdays at the Willow Pot Tearooms—owned by one of the early charter members—alongside informal monthly weeknight meetings. These events, often featured in the local newspapers, included speakers and musical soloists.
March 1926
Fewer meetings were publicized, suggesting a focus on the club’s organizational structure and other internal matters.
April 9, 1926
SI/Vancouver is officially chartered. While later club records indicate there were 66 charter members, newspapers reported 40.
Mercy Ellen Crehan, 1932-1934 SIA President
On the same day, the club also elected its first officers—Clara was named president, joined by First Vice President Jessie Hansford, Second Vice President Irene Moody, Secretary/Treasurer Irene Fraser, and board directors Nellie Howsley, Dorothy Grant, Jessie Gordon, E.M. Seaton, and Anna Sprott.
Although not mentioned in newspaper articles at the time, it is likely Mercy Ellen Crehan—one of the few women Chartered Accountants in the British Empire at the time— was a charter or early member.
Anna Sprott, 1938-1940 SIA President
April 25, 1926
The installation banquet took place at the Hotel Vancouver, attended by Soroptimist leaders and members from clubs in Seattle and Portland, as well as local government leaders and other representatives from other service organizations in the city and province.
1932
The club took over responsibility for a women’s hostel originally run by the Women’s Protective Division of the Vancouver Police Department. Renamed “Soroptimist House,” it became the foundation of the club’s almost 100-year history of providing safe, affordable housing for women—a commitment that continues today.
That same year, Mercy Ellen was elected president of the American Federation of Soroptimist Clubs.
1935
The club history noted that, “from the beginning, a thread of interest in social service ran throughout the life of the club.” Early initiatives included contributions to a “Fairy Gold” fund, which was distributed through the Vancouver City Relief Office and furnished a four-bed ward in Grace Hospital.
1938
Charter member Anna Sprott was elected federation president in 1938.
1926-Present
SI/Vancouver has built a century-long legacy of empowering women and girls and strengthening its community.
Congratulations to all SI/Vancouver members—past and present—on 100 years of service and impact!
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