Swinging sixties - 60s were a period of radical social and political change, equal rights were at a low ebb, women’s liberation movements were being formed, rapidly changing attitudes presented a new challenge to Soroptimist International, how to continue in a changing world. Oral contraceptives were marketed and the Vietnam War, and the assignation of American President JohnF Kennedy in 163, all having an impact on our lives.

The First Two Decades of SWP

Whilst the ideals of Soroptimist International were spreading across America, Europe, England and Ireland. Way across the Pacific Ocean in Australia a remarkable woman named Edith Glanville, who was one of the first of two women to become a Justice of the Peace in NSW. Edith was actively interested in helping immigrants, her life was dedicated to the service of others, it was about this time in 1921 that Edith formed the first Quota Club in Australia. Edith having traveled to America for a Quota International Conference and attended a meeting held by the American Soroptimists was so impressed by our international aspirations, she returned to Sydney, sent back the Quota charter and formed her band of followers into Soroptimist International Association of Sydney.

This decade was the time for Soroptimists in Australia and New Zealand to face challenge and set the wheels in motion to becoming a Federation of our own.  The established clubs in Australia and New Zealand were still attached to the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland.  Communication was a great challenge with correspondence often takening as long as 6 months from sending to receiving.  Emerging futures leaders of SWP joined the organisation and joined with existing members to set the wheels in motion.  We were on our way