It’s hard to remember exactly how things were in the world 80 years ago—so much has changed! One thing hasn’t changed, however, and that is the devotion of the members of Soroptimist International of Placerville to improving the lives of women and girls and empowering them through education in both Placerville and El Dorado County. The Placerville Soroptimist Club is celebrating its 80th Anniversary on January 7th, at the Cary House Hotel, where the Club was chartered and held its first meeting in 1939.
Soroptimist was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California, at a time when women were not permitted to join service organizations. Soroptimist, loosely translated from the Latin, means best for women. Today, there are about 160,000 members and supporters in 21 countries and territories. Soroptimist International of Placerville is a member of the Sierra Nevada Region of the Soroptimists of the Americas Federation.
Soroptimists are a prime example of the saying “Think globally; Act locally.” Soroptimist International of Placerville has several programs to empower women and improve their lives right here in Placerville. In the past ten years, their Helping Hands program has assisted women and their families with $500 emergency grants in an amount totaling over $ 88,000. Soroptimists of Placerville award approximately $8,000 a year in scholarships and grants to deserving young women who are furthering their education. The Club also makes donations to other community programs, such as the Court Appointed Special Advocates’ Christmas Party for foster children, the Center for Non-Violent Relationships annual fundraiser, and the Marshall Medical Center’s Health Expo. Soroptimists in Placerville are partnering with El Dorado County with a grant for Human Trafficking Awareness programs in schools.
In international service, the Placerville Club has purchased solar lamps for the Light the World Campaign, so that girls in Africa have lights to study, and participated in a Region project as well by donating solar coolers for food safety in places where there is no electricity. The Club also participated in the Dress a Girl program, providing hand-sewn dresses to needy girls around the world to increase their self-esteem and boost their ability to continue in school.
Soroptimist International of Placerville is ready to continue for another 80 years of service to women and girls in Placerville and around the world!
