SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF RIVERSIDE, INC.

CLUB HISTORY

Soroptimist was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California, at a time when women were not permitted to join service organizations. Our name, translated from Latin, means "Best for Women."

Soroptimist has grown to become a worldwide volunteer service organization that works to improve the lives of women and girls through access to education in local communities and throughout the world.  Soroptimist International has clubs in 120 countries and territories.

On April 10, 1948, Soroptimist International of Riverside was chartered in the Music Room of the Mission Inn by Soroptimist International of Pomona. The charter roster included 18 businesswomen from the Riverside area.  

The club’s first major project was to launch the Braille Institute Auxiliary for Riverside in 1949.  Through the years members have initiated many projects such as purchasing a van for the YWCA Born Free Program, providing a library for the Janet Goeske Center, purchasing playground equipment for Juvenile Hall, creating the Soroptimist Rose Garden at the Riverside County Court House and being instrumental in establishing the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center.

In 1976, Soroptimist International of Riverside created the History Walk at Raincross Square as part of the city’s Bicentennial celebration. When the Convention Center was renovated in 2012, the 30 stones depicting the City of Riverside’s history were placed in storage. After 13 years, they were finally reinstalled, now joined by two new stones, along Main Street between 10th and 12th Streets beside the historic Riverside County Courthouse.  The restored 32‑stone History Walk was formally dedicated on December 9, 2025.

We also annually provide backpacks for needy children at Arlington Temporary Assistance and provide home appliances to a single mother in a Habitat for Humanity home. 

We currently have an exchange program with our friendship link club, SI Erlangen, Germany, for a young woman from Riverside to visit Erlangen and for a young woman from Erlangen to visit Riverside.

In 2008 we began our “Live Your Dream: Dream It, Be It Conference” which is designed to introduce 7th and 8th grade girls to various career opportunities.  In addition, we provide monetary scholarships and awards to outstanding local women and high school girls. 

We support all these service projects through our annual "Rhinestones, Cowgirls and Auction” fundraiser.

As part of Soroptimist International, SI Riverside is dedicated to strengthening the lives of women and girls in our local communities through service projects that open doors to education, training and the economic empowerment they deserve.

SI Riverside is a non-profit 501(c)(3) professional business women’s  organization.