Guide to the Soroptimists of Anchorage records
circa 1940-2004
Collection number: HMC-0818.
Creator: Soroptimists of Anchorage.
Title: Soroptimists of Anchorage records.
Dates: circa 1940-2004.
Volume of collection: 9.0 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary: Records of a civic organization dedicated to helping women succeed.
Organizational history:
On October 4, 1945, Alice Dowell Jones, Portland, Oregon Regional Extension Officer, with Peggy Lyle in Fairbanks organized the Anchorage Soroptimist club. There were 27 charter members. Doris Ervin was the charter president. In their first year they raised $20,000 for a Youth center and developed the program, “The Ark,” which ended in 1948. In fiscal year 1949-1950, the Soroptimist Club developed a music and art scholarship program. It was renamed the “Eleanor Sullivan Music Scholarships” circa 1976-1977. In the same year, the Soroptomists of Anchorage built the Soroptimist Plaza. The Plaza was located near the old Sydney Laurence Theater. During Project 80s, the new Performing Arts Center was built atop the plaza. Since its inception, the Soroptimists of Anchorage has fundraised and donated money, volunteered, and purchased equipment for numerous nonprofit agencies in Anchorage and the world such as UNICEF. Such organizations include the Girl Scouts, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, Anchorage Festival of Music, Alaska Festival of Music, YWCA, and YMCA.
Collection description:
The collection includes board minutes, history files, photographs and scrapbooks, event and program records, membership records, and other materials documenting the history and activities of the organization.
Arrangement: The materials have been retained in the order in which they arrived from the organization.
Digitized copies: Digital copies of collection material not available online. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: The Archives does not own copyright to materials in this collection. For more information, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Preferred citation: Soroptimists of Anchorage records, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Acquisition note: The records were deposited with the Archives in 2005 by Winnie Novak and Barb Smith on behalf of the organization. A formal deposit agreement was signed by Soroptimists of Anchorage president, Kim Frensley, in 2012.
Processing information: This collection was described by Arlene Schmuland and Mariecris Gatlabayan in 2012.
Container list:
| Box | Description |
| 1 | Includes Installation Committee and Membership Committee records, earthquake files, certificates, and other files. |
| 2 | Photographs and scrapbooks. |
| 3 | Meeting minutes, 1945-2001. |
| 4 | General files. |
| 5 | Artifacts and scrapbook (1980-1992). |
| 6 | Programs and special files. |
| 7 | Includes bulletins, directories, publications, and other files. |
| 8 | Reports, correspondence, conference records, and other files. |
| 9 | Includes publications and other files. |
| Oversize | Includes photographs and other documents. |