About Altrusa and our history
Altrusa International was founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1917, originally as Altrusa Institute. During that time, a record number of women were going to work during World War I, and there was a need for women’s civic organizations. Dr. Alfred Durham, a member of Kiwanis, began organizing clubs throughout Nashville, TN, Louisville, KY, and Dayton, OH, before he moved on to Indianapolis, IN, where he met Mamie L. Bass.
Mamie L. Bass had served as the Superintendent of the Women’s Division of the United States Employment Services, and was a partner in her brother’s architecture firm. She also assisted him in organizing a Rotary chapter in Indianapolis. While she admired Dr. Durham’s Institute, Bass felt that Altrusa could serve a higher purpose. In June 1918, when Altrusa held its first convention in Indianapolis, Mamie L. Bass’s vision became reality. The Altrusa Institute became a classified service organization for women.
Later, the Altrusa Institute was renamed as the National Association of Altrusa Clubs and adopted By-Laws that laid the groundwork for today’s Altrusans. Soon after, Mamie L. Bass created the Principles of Altrusa which defined Altrusa as "a builder of women" and an organization based on merit and accomplishment. The Principles were officially adopted in 1921 along with a major club building effort. By 1922, Altrusa had 20 clubs.
In 1935, Altrusa became international when the first club in Mexico was organized. Since that first step over US borders in 1935, Altrusa moved into Puerto Rico, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, India, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, Great Britain, Bermuda, Canada, and New Zealand. In 1946, Altrusa sent its first representative to the United Nations.
In 1962, Altrusa International established the Altrusa International Foundation, which is dedicated to improving economic well-being and quality of life through a commitment to community services and literacy. In 1966, the organization began to look to America’s youth as the future of Altrusa and established ASTRA service clubs. ASTRA encourages young people, ages 13 to 21, to participate in community service. Expanding on its commitment to youth, Altrusa adopted literacy as on-going area of service in 1977.
The eighties and nineties brought many exciting changes to Altrusa. With the end of Communism, the former Soviet Union saw its first Altrusa clubs. Increasing its global outlook, Altrusa expanded projects beyond literacy and education by adopting a resolution to promote environmental concerns in 1989.
The new millennium continues to bring new ideas and opportunities for Altrusa. In 2011, the association launched a new branding and marketing campaign with the purpose of increasing Altrusa’s image in the communities, and reaching out to an evolving membership.
Global Impact
Altrusa International is a global volunteer service organization whose purpose is to promote better communities through service by an international network of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. In the spirit of altruism - to give selflessly - Altrusans share human and financial resources in their local communities, support NGOs through foundation grants, and provide humanitarian relief through multiple avenues.
United Nations Committee
Since 1946, Altrusa has held observer status at the UN, and in 1978, our UN membership was upgraded to the level of an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) in consultative status with ECOSOC (the Economic and Social Council). In this capacity, we join together with other NGOs, forming a community of NGOs called CONGO (Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations), empowered to attend and participate in UN briefings and conferences related solely to global economic and social concerns.
In each biennium, the International Board appoints representatives to attend and monitor United Nations meetings and briefings. Altrusa’s representatives attend weekly briefings conducted by DPI/NGO (the UN Department of Public Information for NGOs). In addition, they can and do serve on the many NGO committees formed to further the improvement of the human condition, worldwide.
Altrusa International, Inc. is firmly committed to the ‘Say NO…UNiTE to End Violence Campaign Against Women.’] According to Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, “My ‘Unite to End Violence against Women’ campaign sparked a global movement to address this pandemic. The social mobilization platform “Say NO- UNiTE’ carries this movement forward by raising awareness and striving to inspire people to work for a world free of violence against women and girls.
Together, we can reach this goal, which will benefit individuals and societies, creating a better future for all.” In addition, various Altrusa Clubs have purchased anti-mosquito bed nets to halt the spread of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. And in keeping with the anti-violence campaign, many clubs are purchasing solar cooking stoves for the refugee camps in Darfur.
Some Projects From Around The World
Thailand
 The Ashburton, South Island, New Zealand Altrusa club has been supporting Burmese migrants in Thailand since 2008, when it first helped with finance for drugs for a mobile medical clinic. The contact was established when a New Zealand woman spoke to the club about her work in Thailand with migrants. More recently she has been working with the Burmese Migrant Workers Education Committee and the club has been supporting its work by paying the rental on land for one of the schools.
Together with financial support, Altrusa members collected toys, picture books, and clothing and have knitted over 80 beanies for babies, as well as making baby wraps. Currently, the Burmese Migrant Workers Education Committee is educating approximately 10,000 children in northern Thailand and within Burma in more than 50 schools. As well, it oversees 12 boarding houses.
Altrusa International of Ashburton is delighted to have received a grant of 1000 US from the Altrusa International Foundation to help this project. The money will be used to help complete a new building for a school catering for Burmese migrant children. We are so pleased to be able to help make these children’s lives a little better through this Foundation grant!
Kenya
 A ceremony at the Dayspring School for the dedication of the Umoja sports field. There was also a friendly game of soccer between US and Kenya - they won in Penalty Kicks.
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