The word Soroptimist comes from two Latin words, soror meaning sister and optima meaning best. Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best. The first Soroptimist club was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California, USA by women who were interested in volunteer service but who were prohibited from joining all-male organizations. From then to the present, members ha
ve continued to achieve the best for women through various programs of service through Awareness, Advocacy and Action. In 1928, various clubs in the United States formed a federation now called the Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA). Much later, SIA admitted new clubs from South America and Asia. Today, SIA has about 1,430 clubs with 38,171 members in 19 countries and territories, including the Philippines. Mariquita S. Castelo, a Filipina and Betty Beck Prosser, an American - who shared a commitment to serve others and uplift the status of women worked together for the establishment of the first Soroptimist club in the Philippines. From ManIla, the spirit of Soroptimist spread to Davao, Baguio, Naga, Cebu, Cabanatuan, Iriga, Malolos, Daet, Dagupan and the rest of the country. Soroptimist thus flourished in the Philippines with 84 clubs and 2,020 members, continuing the same spirit of service that lives on through the untiring efforts and commitment of current Soroptimists.
