Soroptimist International of Trinidad & Tobago

The Soroptimist Club of San Fernando was sponsored by SI Port of Spain. After some excellent extension groundwork SI San Fernando’s charter was granted on April 9th 1962, under the hand of Dr. Mary Esselmont, Federation President.

The first president of the SI San Fernando was Gladys Montano, whose primary function was to plan the Charter Dinner which was celebrated on November 23rd 1962. The subscription, inclusive of drinks before dinner and champagne or port for the toast, was $12.00. However, members paid a further $30.00 to meet other costs.

The first project was a donation, raised by levy of club members, to the Tobago Hurricane Relief Fund. Later, Jumble and Cake sales raised funds to assist the Home for the Aged. At this time initial planning began for a Home for Gentlewomen eventually to become Shangri La and Gladys Montano began to compile a West Indian Cookbook to raise further funds.

Friendship links were established with Australia and Lincoln, in England. During this first year the Programme Committee provided several guest speakers including John Streetly, a mountaineer, and James Keen, the regional representative of the United Nations.