Soroptomist International of the San Tans
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About Soroptimist International of the San Tans

A volunteer service organization for women in business, management and the professions.

A Brief History of Soroptimist International of the San Tans

On November 10, 1983, a group of professional women gathered at the Chandler Library for an introduction to Soroptimist International. The meeting was called to order by Jean Murphy, president elect of the Soroptimist International of Mesa. The history, purpose and organizational structure of Soroptimist were presented. Fifteen women were in attendance.

Club members participate annually
on a "Saturday of Service"
community service project.

Jacqueline Frey, Debbie Martinez, Cynthia Seelhammer and Lessie Harris were members of SI of Mesa and also members of the chartering committee for the club in Chandler. The committee discussed names for the new club and Soroptimist International of the San Tans was chosen to reflect the areas the group would be committed to serve. At that time, clubs had geographic areas and San Tans was Chandler, Gilbert, and Ahwatukee.

January 14, 1984 was chosen as the original date to have the charter dinner. Governor Patty Zimmerman had a conflict and could not attend. Consequently, the dinner was changed to January 12 at 7 p.m. The dinner was held at the Other Place restaurant at Dobson Ranch Inn. Soroptimist International of the San Tans was chartered and its sponsoring club was Soroptimist International of Mesa.

Charter members were: Mary Jacqueline Frey (President), Terri Vanden Berg (Vice President), Jean Burke, Ann-Christine Bak, Carol Ochocki, Elsie Jackson, Rose Schneier, Judy Harris, Sherry Cancino (Secretary), Jacqueline James, Lana Clark, Julie Stout, Donna Neu, Lynn Simpson (Treasurer), Mary Bailey, Deborah Lund, Beverly Scott, Dorothy Dubach, Ann Nissen, Cynthia Seelhammer, Lessie Harris, Gloria Lutz, Stephanie Serrano and Elizabeth Joseph.

The club voted to meet on Thursdays at La Casa Serrano’s restaurant in Chandler. Business meetings were held the second Thursday of each month. By May 1984 the membership had increased to 33 members. A newsletter was first issued September 27, 1984 and was dubbed SanTanner and has since evolved into the San Tan News Stand.

In September 1984 an Ad Hoc Committee was formed to formulate a Mission Statement. It was “to establish a dynamic, professional group of business women who work through service directed toward meeting needs of the Community and through networking, to enhance the status of women.” This Mission Statement has been modified twice so that now it reads:

“Soroptimist International of the San Tans is a service club for business owners and professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life for women and families.”

Who are Soroptimist?

Our name, Soroptimist, was coined from the Latin “soror” and “optima”, meaning the best for women. Members of Soroptimist International (SI) belong to the world’s largest classified service organization for business owners, executives and professionals. SI is the second largest non-governmental organization in the United Nations.

Headquartered in Cambridge, England, Soroptimist International has more than 100,000 members in 110 countries around the world.

Soroptimist International of the San Tans has been serving the East Valley since January 1984 and is a part of the Golden West Region of Soroptimist International of the Americas.

To find out more, visit the following Web sites:

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