Violet Richardson Ward (1888–1979) holds a very special place in Soroptimist history. She was the very first president of the very first Soroptimist club, founded in Oakland, California, back in 1921. What started as one group of women determined to make a difference has grown into Soroptimist International — a global movement that continues to empower women and girls in over 100 countries.
When Violet took on the role of president, she wasn’t just filling a chair. She was setting the tone for what Soroptimist would become. At a time when women had very few opportunities to gather as professionals, she saw the need for something bigger. This wasn’t just about socializing or charity teas — it was about women supporting one another, building leadership skills, and tackling real issues in their communities.
Violet had a vision. From the very beginning, she said Soroptimist needed to be international. She wanted the organization to stretch beyond Oakland, beyond California, even beyond the United States. That insistence on thinking globally gave Soroptimist International its name and its spirit. Today, it’s hard to imagine Soroptimist without that worldwide perspective — and we can thank Violet for planting that seed.
Her motto was simple: “It’s what you do that counts.” She believed Soroptimist had to be about action, not just meetings and talk. Under her leadership, the first club rolled up its sleeves and started tackling community projects that made a real difference. That idea — that service and action are at the heart of Soroptimist — has never changed. Violet’s influence went far beyond her years as president. She stayed active, mentored other women, and reminded members that Soroptimist wasn’t just a club — it was a movement. In 1971, during the organization’s 50th anniversary, she was honored with a special ceremony and even a bronze portrait. The respect and admiration she inspired were enormous.
One of the best ways we continue to honor her legacy is through the Violet Richardson Award. This award is given to young women, ages 14 to 18, who dedicate their time and energy to volunteer service. It celebrates the very values Violet lived by — leadership, action, and community service. Each year, recipients of the award show us that her motto still rings true: “It’s what you do that counts.” And here’s the beauty of it — the award doesn’t just look back at Violet’s life. It looks forward. It encourages young women to see themselves as leaders and change-makers, just as Violet did more than a century ago. Many of the young women who receive this award go on to make lasting contributions in their communities and beyond. In that way, Violet’s legacy is alive and growing, carried forward by each new generation.
So when we talk about Violet Richardson Award, we’re not just remembering the first president of a local club in Oakland. We’re remembering the woman who sparked a movement — one that still thrives today. She showed us that women could organize, lead, and create real change. And she left us with a guiding truth: it’s not who you are or where you come from that matters most. It’s what you do.
That is the story of Violet Richardson Ward. And thanks to Soroptimist International, and the Violet Richardson Award, her story is still being written every single day.
