In 1895, three friends met in Downtown Wilmington. They spoke of a need for a woman’s club in the area and soon a group of fifteen young women met to determine the purpose and name of their club. They were interested in a fast-growing club in New York City called “Sorosis” and requested to adopt this name for their club. Permission was granted and North Carolina was placed in front of “Sorosis.”
These are just a few of the accomplishments of the long-standing work of North Carolina Sorosis.
| 1895 | North Carolina Sorosis Organized |
| 1896 | First North Carolina Club to join General Federation of Women’s Club |
| 1897 | Began Wilmington’s First Free Circulation Library |
| 1897 | Spearheaded Drive for Free Public Library, donates Money |
| 1897 | Presented 1700 Volumes to the City for the New Public |
| 1910 | Passed Resolution Against Child Labor |
| 1910 | Urged Compulsory School Attendance Law |
| 1911 | Succeeded in getting Regulations requiring Screening of Foods |
| 1911 | Market Inspection Committee Formed |
| 1912 | Succeeded in Getting Medical Inspections of School Students |
| 1912 | Endorsed Bill to put Women on County School Board |
| 1916 | Started first Night School for Mill Workers |
| 1916 | Started Sorosis Milk Station at James Walker Hospital |
| 1925 | Succeeded in getting the City to buy Greenfield Lake for Public Park |
| 1929 | Started Weekly Baby Clinic |
| 1929 | Started Goodwill Center |
| 1930 | Equipped and Staffed the County Museum in Courthouse |
| 1934 | Sponsored Fine Arts Festival |
| 1938 | North Carolina Junior Sorosis Organized |
| 1943-1945 | Club housed Red Cross Center |
| 1945 | Lead Drive for Sale of War Bonds |
| 1951 | First North Carolina Sorosis UNCW Scholarship |
| 1964 | Sponsored Wilmington Woman’s Club |
| 1968 | New Clubhouse constructed on Cardinal Drive |
| 1980 | Night Department of Sorosis Organized |
| 1982 | Purchased Lifeline Machine for Cape Fear Hospital |
| 1983-1987 | Spring Musicals benefited UNC-W Creative Arts Department |
| 1988 | Mini Musical benefited Thalian Hall Restoration |
| 1990 | Club Scrapbooks deposited at New Hanover County Library |
| 1995 | NCS celebrated 100 years of Community Service |
| 2006 | Established UNCW Creative Writing Scholarship |
| 2008 | Received 501(c)(3) Public Charities Tax Exempt Status |
| 2008 | Established Cape Fear Community College Nursing Scholarship |
| 2010 | Co-Hosted Antique Show & Sale |
| 2011 | Received Dollar General’s Literacy Grant for College Park School |
| 2012 | Established Backpack Program for College Park School |
| 2016 | Purchased of named seats at CFCC Wilson Center |
| 2016 | Established UNC-W Education Scholarship |
| 2018 | Sponsored ABCs of Giving – Domestic Violence Open Gate |
| 2019 | Contributed $22,081 dollars and $36,368 gifts in-kind into the community |
| 2019 | Donated Supplies to Charities – Keys To Cleans |
| 2019 | Established Cape Fear Community College Career and Technical Scholarship |
| 2020 | Sponsored College Park School – Pearls For Girls |
| 2020 | Donated $12,163 dollars and $4,031 gifts in-kind into the community |
| 2021 | Sponsored College Park School – Teacher & Staff Appreciation Events |
| 2021 | Contributed $12,655 dollars and $4,076 gifts in-kind into the community |
| 2022 | Sponsored Boys & Girls Homes of NC |
| 2022 | Contributed $21,095 dollars and $12,603 gifts in-kind into the community |
| 2022 | Donated to GFWC-NC Project: Mountains-to-Sea Trail |
| 2022 | Sponsored UNICEF – Ukraine Fund and Donates supplies & clothing to Ukraine |
| 2023 | Sponsored Boys & Girls Homes of NC – For the Love of Kids |
| 2023 | Contributed $15,647 dollars and $16,200 gifts in-kind into the community |
| 2024 | Sponsored Gift for First Responders – Adopt A Cop |
| 2024 | Contributed $17,000 dollars and $13,041 gifts in-kind into the community |
| 2025 | Establishes “GIFTS” – Giving is Fun Thoughtful Service |
