Since Optimist International began, no women were allowed to join the service organization.
So they formed their own club which helped disabled children.
The women had been participating in the same activities as their male counterparts, but they did not receive the same benefits, said Marilyn Frank, former member of Opti-Mrs. and new member of the Optimist Club.
The club sponsored the Blind Olympics and Heads Up, a therapeutic service for disabled children. The group's largest annual fund-raiser, "The Festival of Trees," made about $18,000 one year to support two boys and girls homes.
"Being able to help these wonderful kids made our efforts in Opti-Mrs. worthwhile," said Joann Knifton, charter member of Opti-Mrs. and vice president of the new Optimist chapter in Newhall.
"Before we became actual members, we got nothing," she said. "Now we will not only receive recognition, but we will also get a $5-million insurance policy to cover us on things like fund-raisers." Gadbury said the Optimist chapter in Newhall, one of five chapters in the area, will accept male members because to not do so would be "hypocritical." However, she said the 36-member Santa Clarita Valley Optimist Club of Newhall chapter has received no applications from men. (as of 1987)
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-23-vw-5611-story.html
As industrialization and urbanization brought many new problems to society, citizens began forming voluntary organizations to address the needs of their communities. In some areas, groups took the name “optimist club” to express their desire for a positive outlook in the face of all these problems. The first official Optimist Club was formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1911.
Impetus for a nationwide Optimist movement began when the Optimist Club of Indianapolis, Indiana, was formed in May 1916. Envisioning a nationwide organization, founders of the Indianapolis club moved ahead in the summer of 1916 to start Optimist Clubs in many other major cities.
These clubs quickly grew to more than 100 members each. As a result, a national conference of the American clubs took place in 1917 in Indianapolis.
To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people; to aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world.
https://www.optimist.org/aboutoi.cfm
Mrs. Donald R. Cassels, right, president of North Hollywood Opti-Mrs. Club, adds paint to North Hollywood YMCA goal thermometer following club's contribution of $525
https://www.flickr.com/photos/117891934@N07/13341321024/
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=HPNHJ19631017.2.21&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
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