Women at their best, working to help other women to be their best

Soroptimist was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California, at a time when women were not permitted to join service organizations. Our name, loosely translated from the Latin, means best for women. Today, Soroptimist International of the Americas has about 160,000 members in 21 countries and territories, and is one of four federations of Soroptimist International which has clubs in more than 120 countries throughout the world.

We are a volunteer organization benefiting women and girls through our Dream Programs and we have helped more than 65,000 women and girls reach their goals. We are focused on economically empowering women and girls because it is at the heart of lifting up society as a whole. 

Soroptimist International of Long Beach Island was the first women’s service club sponsored by the Soroptimist Club of Philadelphia in 1955. Our charter was granted on March 10, 1956, and our first president was Adelaide Kapler.

Today, our mission remains the same.  As an organization and member of the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, Soroptimist of LBI offers scholarships to women and girls through our Live Your Dreams Program and Dream It Be It workshops for girls. We opened the Soroptimist Clothes Closet in 2013 and operate it through the Stafford Township Community Center on Pine Street, Manahawkin to assist women with free clothing on their journey to personal success.

We are able to support local charities through our major fundraiser, the Annual Spring Gift Auction and Wine Social.  We are the proud developers of the official Long Beach Island Flag. The flag was designed by 12 year old Jeffrey Huber in 1966 during a contest sponsored by Soroptimist of LBI. The Club holds the copyright to the flag and sales of the flag have been an important source of funds for the club’s service projects.  Flags can be purchased directly through our website or select Long Beach Island merchants.