Altrusa International, Inc

Altrusa International, Inc (Altrusa) is an international non-profit organization focused on community service. It was founded in 1917 [1] by Dr. Alfred Durham as a chain of national clubs for business and professional women.[2][3]

Contents

History

In 1934 the organization became international when it started clubs in Mexico. In 1937 its first convention outside the United States took place in Cuernavaca, Mexico.[4] By 1950, Altrusa had 266 clubs with 28,600 women executives and professional leaders as members.[5]

In 1957, the organization had clubs in eight countries. Its program for service for 1957-1959, based on a survey of clubs, focused on traffic safety, expanded services for older people, and the need for youth guidance to reduce delinquency.[6]

In 1963, Altrusa had over 500 clubs in ten countries. The 1963-1965 program called for expanded vocational services to youth and older workers, more international relations programs and projects, and increased efforts to conserve human resources at all ages.[7]

Currently

As of January 2008, Altrusa had around 10,000 members in 383 clubs[8] from 13 countries, including Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.[9] It is an official observer to the United Nations, and an NGO with consultative status on the Roster of ECOSOC.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Celebrate Anniversary of Altrusa". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 4, 1942. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5RgNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EWoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4121,1833057&dq=altrusa. 
  2. ^ Altrusa International, Inc
  3. ^ http://www.altrusa.com/AboutAltrusa/History.aspx accessed 03-25-2009
  4. ^ "Altrusa Celebrates 50th Anniversary". Ellensburg Daily Record. January 14, 1967. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=J4gKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tUsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6719,881364&dq=altrusa+countries. 
  5. ^ "Altrusa Dinner". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 8, 1950. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ijwNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WGoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4928,1531817&dq=altrusa+bermuda. 
  6. ^ "'Serve to Survive' Theme of Altrusa Convention Scheduled for July 21". St. Petersburg Times. July 14, 1957. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y-YNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MnYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7083,5593798&dq=altrusa+convention. 
  7. ^ "Dr. Loretta Miller will attend Altrusa National Convention in Philadelphia". Ellensburg Daily Record. June 19, 1963. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y3UKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NEsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4909,7164026&dq=altrusa+convention. 
  8. ^ membership report, January 03, 2008, found at http://www.altrusa.com/PDF/Membership_Reports/2008$01$Summary_Membership_Report.pdf
  9. ^ http://www.altrusa.com/ClubsDistricts/ClubLocations.aspx accessed 03-25-2009
  10. ^ United Nations - Department of Economic and Social Affairs - NGO Section

External links