Our Story
Started on October 12, 1964 Altrusa International of Anderson County, Texas was chartered in February, 1966. Founded as an organization for professional women only, Altrusa now welcomes men and women from all walks of life. Regardless of sex, race, religion or profession, all any one needs to become an Altrusan is a servant's heart.
While our service projects have varied over the decades, one thing has always remained the same - our desire to improve our community and help those in need. From our long-running annual chicken spaghetti luncheon to raise money for scholarships to give to area graduating high school seniors to rolling up our sleeves to help another organization with their service projects, Altrusans are always ready to do what it takes to make Anderson County, Texas better for everyone.
Read more about our rich history of service in Anderson County below.
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Altrusa tracks service hours by club to gauge the impact we have on our communities. The hours are clocked from April 1st to March 31st each year. The graphic below shows how many hours Altrusa members have given back to Anderson County, Texas.
Our Beginning
Our club had it's organization meeting on October 12, 1964 in the Dogwood Room of the Sadler Moter Hotel. Twenty new Altrusa members attended the meeting which was hosted by Minna Perry, Field Representative and other members of the Lufkin, Texas club who were the sponsoring club for Altrusa of Anderson County.
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Over 80 people attended the meeting including over 40 Altrusans from neighboring Texas clubs including Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Marshall, Houston and Dallas. Dignitaries in attendance were Altrusa International President Edith DeBusk, Altrusa International District Nine Governor Etta Jane Butler, Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce Manager John Coffin, and Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Totah.
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A list of letters and telegrams welcoming the new club was read by Beth Johnston. The list included welcomes from over 100 established Altrusa clubs from around the world.
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The board of the new club was installed by Etta Jane Butler, Governor of Altrusa International District Nine. Board officers installed were Mrs. Clementine Denson, President; Mrs. Louise Graser, Vice President; Mrs. Evelyn May, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Beth Johnston Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Ruby Sammons, Treasurer; Mrs. Joy Rhodes, Director; and Mrs. Jude Brede, Director.
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Twenty Charter Members of the Altrusa of Anderson County Club were recognized. These Charter Members were: Mrs. Winnie Woolverton, Mrs. Irene Presley, Mrs. Pat Hoppers, Mrs. June Brede, Mrs. Martha Parish, Mrs. Marie Norton, Mrs. Trevelyn Crawford, Mrs. Louise Graser, Mrs. Beth Johnston, Dr. Lucy Mathis, Mrs. Inez Bodie, Mrs. Mary Callaway, Mrs. Joy Rhodes, Mrs. Ruby Sammons, Mrs. Clarence Rosson, Mrs. Evelyn May, Mrs. Clementine Denson, Mrs. Helen Loy, Mrs. Dorothy Jane Smith, and Mrs. Ruby R. Walker.
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Mrs. Clementine Denson, seated, center, was installed as president of the Anderson County Altrusa Club, along with her executive committee. Shown left to right, they are Mrs. Beth Johnston (corresponding secretary), Mrs. Louise Graser (vice president), Mrs. Evelyn May (recording secretary), and Mrs. Ruby Sammons (treasurer). The directors (not in the picture) were Mrs. Joy Rhodes and Mrs. Jude Brede.
A Rich History of Leadership and Service
On September 30, 1980, Altrusa Members accept the "Builders of Palestine" award at the Chamber of Commerce banquet. Altrusa remains the only civic organization to ever receive this award.
Standing from left to right: Maxine Alexander, Clementine Denson, Helen Canady, Nevard Coleman, Lillian Pettiette, Dottie Cook; seated left to right: Hazel Averitte and Letha King.