05/22/2026
Flashback Fridays: Sorosis Through the Years
Carolyn Helen Augustine
President 2004-2005
Carolyn Helen Bishop Augustine was born on September 25, 1927, in Bryson City, North Carolina, to Helen and Herman Bishop.
A proud Tar Heel, Carolyn treasured her time at the University of North Carolina, especially the day she met a handsome football player named Joe Augustine, who would become the love of her life. Alongside Joe, Carolyn traveled the world with love, curiosity, and an adventurous spirit. Together, they visited all 50 U.S. states and most national parks along with many foreign lands.
During Carolyn’s first year as North Carolina Sorosis President, a program on Operation Smile inspired the members to make hospital gowns along with donating other sundries. Toys were packed in partnership with Wilmington Woman’s Club for the Salvation Army. Members stuffed envelopes for New Hanover County Schools to be mailed to parents of seniors on the dangers of underage drinking. Christmas gifts were again wrapped at Independence Mall.
Night Department members supported the community by walking in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Donations were made to the Children’s Museum, prescription glasses and sunglasses were collected and sent to 3rd world countries, forty-six shoe boxes were prepared to be sent to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child; a Christmas tree was decorated for the Hospice’s Festival of Trees and toiletries were collected to be donated to the residents of Port South, no longer in existence. A contribution of $200 was made to help with the purchase of the new Corningware China for the clubhouse. These service projects continued through 2005. Cell phones were also collected for the Domestic Violence Shelter. In 2005, Day and Night groups collected beach towels for Victory Junction.
The new digital piano was donated by Marilyn Gray replacing the older acoustic piano during Carolyn’s 2005 Administration. The previous piano went to the Sharrard family. A dedication ceremony was held on November 6, 2005 with a musical program presented to members and guests.
Jennifer Lang, a UNCW student, worked with North Carolina Sorosis on history of the club for her master’s thesis. The subject for her thesis was “North Carolina Sorosis, ‘Self-Improvement, Community Improvement and the Women’s Movement in the Wilmington Area’” and can now be found on-line.
Ann Tremblay was the Night Department Chairman during Carolyn’s 2004 administration while Brenda Best was Chairman during the 2005 administration. Dorothy Sharrard was 2005 Clubwoman of the Year. Carolyn was named Clubwoman of the Year during 2006.
Carolyn was also a member of Wilmington Woman’s Club for many years and lived a life rich in service, creativity, and community. She generously gave her time and talents across countless organizations. She was deeply involved in both the Cape Fear and North Carolina State Garden Clubs, and served on numerous boards throughout her life, including the NC Symphony, the New Hanover Arboretum Foundation, the Chapel Hill Recreation Commission, and the UNCW School of Nursing Advisory Board. She was also active in women’s groups at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and her local P.E.O. chapter.
Some of her most cherished contributions included her role as parliamentarian for the North Carolina State Garden Club, mentoring several Cape Fear Garden Club presidents, teaching Sunday School in Chapel Hill, and working with both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She also played an instrumental role in the creation of the entrance gate house at the New Hanover County Arboretum, a place that remained dear to her heart.
Outside of community service, Carolyn’s many passions included painting, knitting, cross-stitch, needlepoint, and flower arranging. These were each creative outlets that reflected her attention to beauty and detail in all areas of life.
Carolyn passed away on August 12, 2005.
