1400 E Touhy Ave, Suite 410, Des Plaines, IL 60018altrusa@altrusa.org 1-312-427-4410
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About
History
Altrusa International was founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1917, originally as Altrusa Institute. During that time, a record number of women were going to work during World War I, and there was a need for women’s civic organizations. Dr. Alfred Durham began organizing clubs throughout Nashville, TN, Louisville, KY, and Dayton, OH, before he moved on to Indianapolis, IN, where he met Mamie L. Bass.
Mamie L. Bass had served as the Superintendent of the Women’s Division of the United States Employment Services, and was a partner in her brother’s architecture firm. While she admired Dr. Durham’s Institute, Bass felt that Altrusa could serve a higher purpose. In June 1918, when Altrusa held its first convention in Indianapolis, Mamie L. Bass’s vision became reality. The Altrusa Institute became a classified service organization for women.
In 1935, Altrusa became international when the first club in Mexico was organized. Since that first step over US borders, Altrusa moved into Puerto Rico, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, India, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, Great Britain, Bermuda, Canada, and New Zealand.
In 1946, Altrusa sent its first representative to the United Nations. In 1962, Altrusa International established the Altrusa International Foundation. In 1966, the organization established ASTRA.
Banner
Header
About
History
Altrusa International was founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1917, originally as Altrusa Institute. During that time, a record number of women were going to work during World War I, and there was a need for women’s civic organizations. Dr. Alfred Durham began organizing clubs throughout Nashville, TN, Louisville, KY, and Dayton, OH, before he moved on to Indianapolis, IN, where he met Mamie L. Bass.
Mamie L. Bass had served as the Superintendent of the Women’s Division of the United States Employment Services, and was a partner in her brother’s architecture firm. While she admired Dr. Durham’s Institute, Bass felt that Altrusa could serve a higher purpose. In June 1918, when Altrusa held its first convention in Indianapolis, Mamie L. Bass’s vision became reality. The Altrusa Institute became a classified service organization for women.
In 1935, Altrusa became international when the first club in Mexico was organized. Since that first step over US borders, Altrusa moved into Puerto Rico, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, India, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, Great Britain, Bermuda, Canada, and New Zealand.
In 1946, Altrusa sent its first representative to the United Nations. In 1962, Altrusa International established the Altrusa International Foundation. In 1966, the organization established ASTRA.
International Board
Kathy Folley
President
Temple, Texas
District Nine
president@altrusa.org
Linda Smith
President-Elect
Salina, Kansas
District Eight
presidentelect@altrusa.org
Christine DeVlieger
Vice President
DeKalb County, Illinois
District Six
vicepresident@altrusa.org
Germaine Vonderhaar
Treasurer
Hamilton, Ohio
District Five
treasurer@altrusa.org
Beverly Hardy
Immediate Past President
Starke, Florida
District Three
immediatepastpresident@altrusa.org
Lisa Boyd
Director
Clarksville, Tennessee
District Four
director1@altrusa.org
Kitty McElhaney
Director
Lake City, Florida
District Three
director2@altrusa.org
Bettina Schempf
Director
Corvallis, Oregon
District Twelve
director3@altrusa.org
Sue Whitaker
Director
Muncie, Indiana
District Six
director4@altrusa.org
Leslie Johnson
Foundation Representative
Anaheim, California
District Eleven
lesliejohnson619@gmail.com
Pat Woodward
Legal Advisor
Fauquier County, Virginia
District Two
legal@altrusa.org
Colleen Duris
Parliamentarian
Ocala, Florida
District Three
parliamentarian@altrusa.org
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