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 we have over 25,000 members and supporters in countries across North America, Latin America and the Pacific Rim. The San Luis Obispo club was chartered in 1943 with the first installation and chapter presentation held on May 25, 1943 with Elise Hewitt as the club's first president.