A global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs lead Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International of the Americas is an international organization for business and professional women who provide volunteer service to their communities. The name, Soroptimist, means 'best for women,' and that's what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best working to help other women to be their best. Soroptimist members belong to local clubs, which determine the focus of service to their communities. Club projects range from renovating domestic violence shelters, to providing mammograms to low-income women, to sponsoring self-esteem workshops for teenage girls. All projects seek to make life better for women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.