Dates

• Existence: 1922-

Historical Information

The Lafayette Chapter of Altrusa International was founded in 1922 with Ruby Dautel serving as the first president. This early founding date makes the Lafayette chapter one of the earliest members of the national Altrusa Organization. Altrusa was first started in 1917 in Nashville, Tennessee by Dr. Alfred Durham in an effort to foster fellowship among professional and business women, since no such clubs for women existed at the time. In 1918, Durham was joined at the helm by Mamie Bass, the superintendent of the Women’s Division of the U.S. Employment Service. Bass instilled in the club its philosophy of service and personal achievement and organized the first Altrusa convention in 1918 in Indianapolis where she became the first elected president of the national organization. Since that time, Altrusa has gone international and now has thousands of members in several countries. The Lafayette Chapter of Altrusa has remained an active member of the sixth district which encompasses member clubs in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Altrusa of Lafayette has been active in the support of vocational training and scholarships for young women, literacy programs, and various other projects during its tenure.

Citation:

MSP 127, Altrusa International of Lafayette, Indiana records. Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

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