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
Linda Smith
President
Salina, Kansas
District Eight
president@altrusa.org
Christine DeVlieger
President-Elect
DeKalb County, IL
District Six
presidentelect@altrusa.org
Kitty McElhaney
Vice President
Lake City, Florida
District Three
vicepresident@altrusa.org
Bettina Schempf
Treasurer
Corvallis, Oregon
District Twelve
treasurer@altrusa.org
Kathy Folley
Immediate Past President
Temple, Texas
District Nine
immediatepastpresident@altrusa.org
Melinda Aguirre
Director
Central Coast, CA
District Eleven
director1@altrusa.org
Penny Daugherty
Director
Mexico, MO
District Eight
director2@altrusa.org
Ileana Pacheco Morales
Director
Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
District Fourteen
director3@altrusa.org
Linda Ring
Director
Central Connecticut, Connecticut
District One
director4@altrusa.org
Karen Robinson
Foundation Representative
Tampa Bay, Florida
District Three
kadcbr@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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