Sorosis facts for kids

Rules of the Sorosis Club in 1869.

Sorosis was the very first professional women's club in the United States. It started in March 1868 in New York City. Jane Cunningham Croly founded this important club.

What Does Sorosis Mean?

The name "Sorosis" comes from a Latin word meaning 'a collection' or 'a heap'. It was chosen to show that the club brought together many accomplished women. These women were leaders in art, literature, science, and other fields. Jane Croly picked the name after looking through many dictionaries. She liked its meaning, its unique sound, and how well it fit the club.

At first, one of the founding members, Kate Field, wanted to change the name to "Women's League." But after thinking it over, the club voted to keep "Sorosis." Because of this, Kate Field and some others left the club.

How Sorosis Started

In March 1868, a group of women were not allowed to buy tickets to a dinner. This dinner was hosted by the all-male New York Press Club for the famous author Charles Dickens. Because they were excluded, these women decided to form their own club: Sorosis.

On April 20, 1868, Sorosis held its first lunch meeting. It was at the same restaurant where the men's dinner had been. They even invited Charles Dickens, but he couldn't come.

The 14 founding members of Sorosis included important women like Alice Cary, Jane C. Croly, and Kate Field. By January 1869, Sorosis became a legal organization. Within one year, it had 83 members! Sorosis, along with the New England Women's Club in Boston, inspired many other women's clubs to form across the country.

The Sorosis ... was organized ... to promote "mental activity and pleasant social intercourse," and in spite of a severe fire of hostile criticism and misrepresentation, it has evinced a sturdy vitality, and really demonstrated its right to exist by a large amount of beneficent work. ... These ladies pledged themselves to work for the release of women from the disabilities which debar them from a due participation in the rewards of industrial and professional labour ... I believe it has been the stepping-stone to useful public careers, and the source of inspiration to many ladies.

—Emily Faithfull, 1884

Many early members of Sorosis were involved in different jobs and social movements. These included working to end slavery, gain voting rights for women, and improve prisons.

As time went on, Sorosis opened local chapters outside New York City. During World War I and World War II, these chapters helped with war relief efforts. In times of peace, they supported charities and scholarship funds. They also helped immigrant women learn to read and write. Later, Sorosis focused on local projects. They raised money for other women's clubs and helped local rescue missions.

In 1890, Sorosis invited other women's clubs to a special meeting in New York City. Sixty-three clubs attended and together they formed the General Federation of Women's Clubs. These clubs worked together to push for social and political changes. They made a difference at local, state, and national levels.

How the Club Worked

Sorosis held monthly meetings called symposiums. These meetings focused on topics like literature, science, philosophy, art, drama, and education. Members formed committees to research these topics. Each committee got one day a year to share what they had learned. The club also had business meetings two weeks after each symposium.

What Sorosis Believed In

Sorosis was more traditional in its views compared to some other women's groups of its time. Even though many members supported women's right to vote, the group itself did not actively campaign for it.

However, Sorosis did support other important causes. These included ending slavery, the Temperance movement (reducing alcohol use), and improving education for women. They also supported dress reform and better rights for working women.

Sorosis believed that men and women had natural differences. They thought women were more moral and caring. Because of these qualities, they felt women should play an active role in improving society. They believed serving others was more important than focusing on oneself.

Amazing Women of Sorosis

Many members of Sorosis achieved great things in their lives.

Scientific Achievements

• Jennie de la Montagnie Lozier was a doctor for 12 years. She led the science and philosophy committees in Sorosis. Later, she became the president of the club. In 1889, she gave a paper in French about women's education in medicine at a big meeting in Paris.
• Phoebe Jane Babcock Wait was also a doctor. She became the head of obstetrics at the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. She was also the dean of the college. She was a member of several important groups, including Sorosis.
• Anna Manning Comfort was one of the first women to become a doctor in Connecticut. She wrote a paper in 1874 defending higher education for women.

Literary and Journalistic Achievements

• Ella Maria Dietz Clymer was a poet and actress. She adapted a version of Faust for the English stage. She also published many poems. She served as president of Sorosis for two years.
• Eliza Putnam Heaton was a journalist and editor. She worked for the Brooklyn Daily Times. In 1891, she started the first daily newspaper column specifically about women's movements.

Business Achievements

• Alice Houghton was a broker. In 1888, she started her own company that dealt with real estate, insurance, and investments. She also helped prepare displays for a big exhibition. She was president of the Spokane branch of Sorosis.

Notable Members

See also

• New England Women's Club
• Pi Beta Phi, originally founded in 1867 as I. C. Sorosis, not affiliated with Sorosis.