ABOVE: Sorosis Club at 108 Liberty Street in Orlando circa 1923.
Sorosis of Orlando
Sorosis of Orlando has a long history of service in Orlando: “In 1893, ten soft-spoken women of Orlando met at the home of Mrs. Robert Howe to organize a study club. Mrs. W. R. Anno, Miss Maud Anno, Miss Blanche Anno, Mrs. Annie Coleman, Miss Emily Dickenson, Mrs. H. W. Greetham, Mrs. Robert Howe, Miss Julia Pomeroy, Miss Lillian Shine, and Mrs. D. S. Shine became Charter Members. They adopted the name Sorosis from Latin meaning ‘sisterhood'”.
ABOVE: 1913 Orlando City Directory
ABOVE: 1915 Orlando City Directory, p. 321
The 1923-1924 Sorosis of Orlando yearbook states that the club colors are white and gold and their motto is “Gaining strength as we go.”
The women of Sorosis impacted the lives of countless individuals and the community at large for almost 130 years! In March 2021, the Sorosis club announced that they were selling their building at 501 East Livingston Street. Club president Susan Piner, who is 77 years young, explained that there were only 19 members left, and revenue lost due to the COVID 19 pandemic gave them no other recourse.
ABOVE: Club house at 501 East Livingston Street.
Sorosis Club 108 East Liberty
ABOVE: Sorosis Club at 108 Liberty Street in Orlando.
The first “public” library in Orlando
The Sorosis club of Orlando created a small circulating library for its members to use for research and personal development. This collection is said to have been initially housed on the second floor of the Old Armory Building on south Court Avenue. It was subsequently moved to the Knox building at Pine and Court Avenue and the general public was permitted to borrow books for a small fee. It remained the only library open to the public until the construction of the Albertson Public Library in 1923, at which time, the club donated their books to the library.
Three of the five members of the first Albertson Library Commission were members of Sorosis: Mrs. Frederick W. Taylor (Zeriah “Zeedie”), Mrs. T. Picton Warlow (Carla), and Mrs. W. T. Jamieson (Anna).
VIEW Sorosis Library regulations, pasted inside the front cover of the book “The Works of the Late William Robertson, D.D., Vol. II.”
REGULATIONS:
- The Library shall be kept open for the receipt and delivery of books, every Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- All persons are allowed to consult books in the room during Library hours.
- On payment of One Dollar, per annum, any person shall be entitled to take books from the Library and retain them not longer than two weeks under penalty of Two Cents per day for each volume so retained beyond the authorized time.
- No person shall lend any book belonging to the Library or transfer it to another person’s account.
- Certain books of reference –Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, etc.–shall in no case be taken from the Library room.
- Volumes lost or seriously damaged, must be paid for by the person to whom they are charged.
- Any non-subscriber can, upon the deposit of One Dollar, take books from the Library by paying Ten Cents per week or Twenty-five Cents per month. The deposit of One Dollar to be refunded when Library privileges are no longer desired.
- A non-observance of any of the above rules will subject the offender to a deprivation of the privileges of the Library.
- Always present the CARD on borrowing or returning a book.
View event and program flyers.
Literature, Music, and Drama
The members of Sorosis regularly presented and participated in literary, dramatic and musical events. Olive Brumbaugh, the first director of the Albertson Public Library was a member of Sorosis and saved many of the handmade programs created for these special events from 1939 to 1942. Peruse some of the event programs.
View event and program flyers.
Memories of Sorosis
Helen MacKay shared her memories of the organization and the library in an interview with library staff member Joan Erwin on November 7, 1983.
ABOVE: Program from the 50th anniversary of the founding of Sorosis of Orlando.
ABOVE: Sorosis 1924-1925 yearbook. Peruse the committees for an overview of the club members’ activities.
A bookmobile for the Library – November 22, 1949
In early 1949, a proposal for the addition of a Bookmobile was presented to the board of the Albertson Public Library by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. The ladies of Sorosis decided that a Bookmobile that would take books to people in the small communities of Orange County was a worthy venture, so they spearheaded a drive to raise $6,000 for the purchase of the vehicle. The Board of County Commissioners appropriated $10,000 for the staffing, books, and upkeep of the vehicle, and by November 1949 it was on the road serving the people of Orange County.
Community events and productions
VIEW 1957 Know Your Neighbor program.
On March 4, 1957, The Business and Professional Women’s Clubs of Orlando in cooperation with Sorosis and Altrusa, American Association of University Women, B’Nai B’Rith Women’s Chapter, Council of Church Women, Girl Scouts, Pilot Club, Soroptimists, St. Elizabeth’s Guild, Women Teacher’s Honor Society and Zonta presented a production entitled “Know Your Neighbor” dedicated to the American Principals of Brotherhood and Democracy. Peruse the entire program.
Presidents of Sorosis 1893-1975
The 1975-1976 yearbook lists the former presidents of Sorosis.
*Mrs. Robert Howe, 1893
*Mrs. H. W. Greetham
*Mrs. F. A. Curtis
*Mrs. C. G. Browning
*Miss Kena Fries
*Miss Mollie Ray
*Mrs. T. P. Warlow
*Miss Marcia Johnson
*Mrs. Mahlon Gore
*Mrs. Helen Wright
*Mrs. A. B. Whitman, 1912-23
*Mrs. Robert M. Shearer, 1923-25
*Mrs. Alexander Akerman, 1925-27
Mrs. C. D. Christ, 1927-29
Mrs. Frederick E. Godfrey, 1929-30
*Mrs. Charles F. Batchelder, 1930-32
*Mrs. C. C. Daley, 1932-34
*Mrs. A. H. Reppard, 1934-36
Mrs. A. T. MacKay, 1936-38
Mrs. William M. Lane, 1938-40
Mrs. Samuel F. Ricker, 1940-42
Mrs. L. A. Blake, 1942-44
Mrs. A. H. Smith, Jr., 1944-46
Mrs. E. Harold Johnson, 1946-47
*Mrs. Robert J. Pleus, 1947-48
*Mrs. John B. Davis, 1948-50
Mrs. Ruth McCullough Maguire, 1950-52
Mrs. Floyd S. Batten, May-Nov. 1952
*Miss Warrene Piper, Dec. 1952-May 1954
Mrs. R. L. Schacht, 1954-1956
Mrs. L. C. Candedo, 1956-57
*Mrs. William P. Mullen, 1957-59
Mrs. Ben Gammage, 1959-60
Mrs. J. M. Collins, 1960-61
*Mrs. W. T. Chennell, 1961-62
Mrs. W. Ivan Wilder, 1962-64
Mrs. Gray A. Strain, Jr., 1964-66
Mrs. Julian E. Laughinghouse, Sr., 1966-67
Mrs. Robert H. Betts, 1967-68
Mrs. James H. Harper, 1968-69
Mrs. James A. Vincent, 1969-70
Mrs. Allison F. Martin, 1970-72
Mrs. Paul A. Dolezar, 1972-73
Mrs. J. B. Lawton III, 1973-75
* Deceased
Attached documents are part of the Orange County Associations files at the Orlando Public Library. Additional folders contain news clippings and supplemental information on the Sorosis Club.
Read more about the Sorosis club by searching Orlando Memory using the word Sorosis.
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Sorosis Club - 108 East Liberty
Sorosis Club - 108 East Liberty
Sorosis Club - 108 East Liberty
Sorosis Club - 108 East Liberty
Sorosis 1893-1943 - Program cover
Program created for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Sorosis of Orlando in 1893.
Year Book of Sorosis 1924-1925 - Cover
This item is part of the Orange County Associations files at the Orlando Public Library. Additional yearbooks from 1945-1976 (not inclusive) are...
Sorosis Bookmobile Flyer
Albertson Library Flyer from November 22, 1949 for the Sorosis Bookmobile presentation.
Albertson Public Library Bookmobile in action
Newspaper photograph showing children and the bookmobile in a country setting published in the Orlando Sentinel on June 1, 1950, 2nd section. Caption:...
Know Your Neighbors - 1957 program cover
On March 4, 1957, The Business and Professional Women's Clubs of Orlando in cooperation with Sorosis and Altrusa, American Association of University...
Sorosis Library Regulations
From book in the Albertson Public Library collection.
Minnie Thoren's Recipe for Butterscotch Squares
Recipe found on the back of an invitation for a coffee honoring Miss Margaret Piper and her sister Miss Warrene Piper at...
Minnie Thoren's invitation to a Coffee at the Sorosis Club.
An invitation for a coffee honoring Miss Margaret Piper and her sister Miss Warrene Piper at the Sorosis Club. Minnie Thoren is...
Butterscotch Squares
Learning Central staff at the current Orlando Public Library in April 2022 made the Butterscotch Squares from the recipe on the back...
Sorosis Library - 1913 Orlando City Directory
Listing for the Sorosis Library in the 1913 Orlando City Directory.
Sorosis Drama Event
Program for Sorosis Drama Event from the files of Albertson Public Library's first librarian Olive Brumbaugh.
Sorosis Literature Event
Program for Sorosis Literature Event from the files of Albertson Public Library's first librarian Olive Brumbaugh.
Sorosis Music Event
Program for Sorosis Music Event from the files of Albertson Public Library's first librarian Olive Brumbaugh.
PDF includes flyers from multiple events that the Sorosis Club hosted between the years of 1939 - 1942. This list is not inclusive.
Regulations for borrowing from the Sorosis Library. Book in the Albertson Library collection, donated to the library by the Sorosis Club in 1923.
Program created for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Sorosis of Orlando in 1893.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Provides a history of the Sorosis Club from 1893 to 1931.
Located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
On March 4, 1957, The Business and Professional Women's Clubs of Orlando in cooperation with Sorosis and Altrusa, American Association of University Women, B'Nai B'Rith Women's Chapter, Council of Church Women, Girl Scouts, Pilot Club, Soroptimists, St. Elizabeth's Guild, Women Teacher's Honor Society and Zonta presented a production entitled "Know Your Neighbor" dedicated to the American Principals of Brotherhood and Democracy.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Provides a history of the Sorosis Club in 1963-1964.
Located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
Yearbook lists members, committees, calendar of events, members who died during the year, society constitution, and by laws.
Original yearbooks from 1918-1976 (not inclusive) are located in the Orlando Public Library vertical file - Orange County - Association - Sorosis. Additional folders contain news clippings and other information on Sorosis.
I love your site it has helped me a lot! I love this!
Greetings Anna! Thank you for visiting Orlando Memory and for your kind words. We hope you will continue to search Orlando Memory for posts that bring back memories of days gone by! THE ORLANDO MEMORY TEAM.
Hello, I have a memory I would like to share. While going through a box of recipes of Minnie Thoren, I ran across one for Butterscotch Squares. The interesting part was that the recipe was written on the back of an invitation for a “coffee” for Miss Margaret Piper and Miss Warrene Piper on Saturday, the fourteenth of April from eleven to one at Sirosis, 108 Liberty Street, Orlando. As the recipe was written on the back, I might assume the Butterscotch squares were served at the coffee and Minnie got the recipe from the maker. No year was given on the invitation, but I am sure is was a wonderful event.
P.S. – The recipe- Butterscotch Squares
Sift, 1 cup cake flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt into a medium bowl. Stir in 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 stick melted butter, 1 egg, and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Beat until completely blended. Pour into a 8×8 or 7×11 greased pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or firm on top. Cool on a rack and cut into squares.
Hello Jeff! Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe and the information on the invitation! If you’d like, you can scan the front and back of the card and we’ll add to the post. I’ll email you! This is great!