A little about our Founder Miss Kathleen Moore:
Miss Kathleen Moore was born in London and joined the New Zealand Refrigerating Company in London as a confidential clerk in 1914. Miss Moore went on to become the first woman to hold the position of head salesperson at the company. She later managed the London office and in 1928 transferred to their Christchurch headquarters. After a severe illness in 1931, Miss Moore joined the staff of Ford Motors in Christchurch, selling cars to women. She moved to Wellington and organised the Women’s Division of Dominion Life Assurance.
In 1939, Miss Moore began her relationship with Soroptimism. While visiting in London she met and received great support from Elizabeth Hawes, the then President of the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland. On her return, Kathleen called a meeting of prominent women in Wellington to discuss the idea of forming a Soroptimist Club. This took place on 23rd February 1939.
On 16th March 1939 a motion was carried that a Soroptimist club be formed. Miss Kathleen Moore became the first President. The other officers were:
Other members of the Executive were:
Other charter members included, Mrs V.A. May (Welfare Organiser), Mrs J.M. Williams (Librarian –Municipal Library), Miss Pauline Smith (Hairdresser), Miss D’este (Photographer), and Dr Elizabeth Bryson (Consulting Physician).
The club met for some months and in August 1939 had 30 members. It operated for 8 months and during this time members set up a refugee relief committee and planned employment opportunities for people escaping from Europe. One idea proposed was the establishment a coffee shop, to be run by the refugees. But it was debated there were New Zealanders in need of work too so the idea was abandoned in October 1939.
It was decreed at a meeting on 7th September 1939 that the club ‘maintain neutrality in all national affairs and to avoid all discussion on political, sectarian, religious and racial questions’. A charter entrance fee of £7 was dispatched to Miss Elizabeth Hawes, the Liaison Officer, of the Soroptimist International Association in London. And on 16th November 1939 the club was formally chartered. At that time the club had 38 members.
In 1939, Miss Moore began her relationship with Soroptimism. While visiting in London she met and received great support from Elizabeth Hawes, the then President of the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland. On her return, Kathleen called a meeting of prominent women in Wellington to discuss the idea of forming a Soroptimist Club. This took place on 23rd February 1939.
On 16th March 1939 a motion was carried that a Soroptimist club be formed. Miss Kathleen Moore became the first President. The other officers were:
- Mrs WE Suckling (Optician), Vice President
- Miss T.R. Smith (Assistant Lecturer), second Vice President
- Mrs Ellen Castle (Apartment House owner), Secretary
Other members of the Executive were:
- Mrs E Buele (Secretary in an Architect’s office)
- Miss D. Mowat (Accountant)
- Miss E. Mainwaring (Handicrafts, Art needlework)
- Mrs J. Kemp - Saint (Furrier)
- Mrs J. Yaldwyn (Assistant Teacher, Private School)
- Miss E.M. Black (Florist)
- Miss C.Hooper (Dental Clinic Matron).
Other charter members included, Mrs V.A. May (Welfare Organiser), Mrs J.M. Williams (Librarian –Municipal Library), Miss Pauline Smith (Hairdresser), Miss D’este (Photographer), and Dr Elizabeth Bryson (Consulting Physician).
The club met for some months and in August 1939 had 30 members. It operated for 8 months and during this time members set up a refugee relief committee and planned employment opportunities for people escaping from Europe. One idea proposed was the establishment a coffee shop, to be run by the refugees. But it was debated there were New Zealanders in need of work too so the idea was abandoned in October 1939.
It was decreed at a meeting on 7th September 1939 that the club ‘maintain neutrality in all national affairs and to avoid all discussion on political, sectarian, religious and racial questions’. A charter entrance fee of £7 was dispatched to Miss Elizabeth Hawes, the Liaison Officer, of the Soroptimist International Association in London. And on 16th November 1939 the club was formally chartered. At that time the club had 38 members.
