Soroptimist International of Dixon to Celebrate its 50th Birthday

Special to Dixon Patch

Soroptimist International of Dixon is celebrating 50 years! SI of Dixon was chartered April 19, 1961 by 32 charter members and was sponsored by the SI Club of Roseville. June Burke was elected as SI Dixon’s first president.

The name Soroptimist was coined from two Latin words:  SOROR and OPTIMUS. Soror-Sister: symbol of the bond of comrades.  Optimus – The best, the highest good.  SI of Dixon is a member of the Founders Region and currently has over 50 members.

Celebration of the 50th Anniversary will take place on 11:30 a.m., Sunday Sept. 18, at Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield. The cost is $25 per person for the buffet luncheon and anyone interested in attending but RSVP to to Susan Joyce papillonsj@aol.com by Sept 10.

Soroptimists play a daily part in their community – thousands of hours are devoted to programs locally, nationally and internationally. Each year Soroptimists supports dozens of Dixon projects and awards several scholarships with the funds earned through various fundraisers.

Eight months out of the year, SI of Dixon honors a senior from for her scholastic and extra-curricular activities through the “Young Woman of the Month” program.

But even more exciting is the fact that Soroptimist International is celebrating 90 years.

“Quality, Harmony and Service” - Stuart Morrow’s vision as the guiding principle for Soroptimist Clubs everywhere.

“Quality – as regards the high grade of its membership; Harmony – as between its members; and Service – not only to its members, but to the city, to the nation, and to that great cause of friendship between nations, upon which the future progress of civilization will undoubtedly depend.”

The very first meeting of Soroptimist Club of Alameda County was held at Hotel Oakland, in Oakland in the Rose Room on May 31, 1921. By Oct. 1921, the Alameda County Club had over 80 members.  In 1924, the Soroptimist Clubs were international as clubs were organized in England and France.

The Soroptimist Pledge:  I pledge allegiance to Soroptimism and to the ideals for which it stands:  The sincerity of friendship, The joy of achievement, The dignity of service, The integrity of profession, The love of country.  I will put forth my greatest efforts to promote uphold and defend these ideals, for a larger fellowship in home, in society, in business, for country and for God.