Soroptimist was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California when women were prohibited from joining service organizations. The word Soroptimist was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. And so Soroptimist is perhaps best interpreted as ‘the best for women.’

 

Soroptimist International consists of Soroptimist International of the Americas, Soroptimist International of Europe, Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland and Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific. Our network of around 72,000 club members in 121 countries works at a local, national and international level to Educate, Empower and Enable opportunities for women and girls.

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In a traditional candlelight ceremony with seventy guests present, Soroptimist International of Ventura sponsored the chartering of Soroptimist International of Oxnard on November 3, 1945. Maude Higgins is credited with recruiting the twenty-one chart members. The new club joined other service clubs for their first project, a one-day sale of E Bonds. Other early projects were sending monthly clothing packages to needy sister Soroptimists in Holland, sending overseas Christmas presents to servicemen, and chaperoning teen dances. 

 

In the 1950s, SI Oxnard began a four-year project to fund the new Girl Scout House. The house was purchased, moved from the school site in Somis, CA, moved to Oxnard, and remodeled for the Girl Scouts. It was dedicated on November 28, 1952. Soroptimists supported and maintained the house throughout its use.

 

In the 1960s, two significant events took place, both perfect examples of Soroptimist “Awareness, Advocacy, and Action.” The first was recognizing and addressing the increased need for a family and youth counseling center. They spent six years fundraising before their labor of love came to fruition when the Family Counseling Center at 3645 Saviers Road in Oxnard opened its doors. In the second project, Soroptimists played a prominent role as sponsors and hosts for the Grand Opening benefit concert for the Oxnard Civic Center. SI Oxnard donated the fountains in the Civic Center courtyard. 

 

In the 1990s, SI Oxnard stayed committed to improving the community and women's status. Projects of the early 1990s included co-sponsorship of Oxnard Women’s Day with the Oxnard College re-entry program, establishment of an Oxnard site for the family services agency CAAN (Child Abuse and Neglect), and annual attendance at the Inter-Service Club Luncheon. SI Oxnard was honored as Service Club of the Year in 1990.

 

In the 2000’s, SI Oxnard began its signature fundraiser, Bras for a Cause, an upscale charity event supporting Breast Cancer Awareness.  A portion of the proceeds fund Comfort Kits for Breast Cancer patients in Ventura County. SI of Oxnard members carefully assemble Comfort Kits with supplies needed for breast cancer patients after mastectomy surgery.  Our members package and deliver the contents to local cancer centers in Oxnard for distribution.