Fullerton City Councilmember Ahmad Zahra presents Amanda Secola, current Chapter Chair for Soroptimist of Fullerton, with a Certificate of Recognition from the City. Photo by Emerson Little.

Soroptimist International of Fullerton, a chapter of the non-profit, global volunteer organization dedicated to providing women and girls access to education, training, and a pathway toward economic empowerment, celebrated its seventieth anniversary ​on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at St. Andrews Church, located at 1231 E. Chapman Avenue.

According to the organization’s website, Soroptimist International of Fullerton was chartered in 1956. Since 1970, the group’s Live Your Dream Awards program has awarded over $30 million in college grants to help tens of thousands of women achieve their goals. Since 2011, Soroptimist of Fullerton has been donating underwear to women and their families who experienced domestic violence, substance abuse, human trafficking, or other challenges. The non-profit has also supported the Mustang Leading Ladies program for girls at Maple Elementary School, making a difference in the lives of young women.  

For three-and-a-half hours, the annual fundraiser invited donors to celebrate by dressing up like it was the 1970s. Tie-dyed shirts and Seventies attire were worn by nearly all of the attendees. Raffle baskets lined a table where event guests could place bids for the group’s silent auction. Salad, pasta, bread, and other foods were laid out (buffet style) on a table on the opposite side of the room. Hawaiian Punch, iced tea and water, among other beverages, were served. Seventies music bingo was played by attendees at their tables. Listening to 30-second snippets of groovy disco tunes, as well as music from other genres, attendees could mark their bingo cards with stamps or pencils. 

Representing the City of Fullerton, Councilmember Ahmad Zahra formally presented Amanda Secola, current Chapter Chair for Soroptimist of Fullerton, with a Certificate of Recognition from the City. 

Zahra said, “Through your commitment to empowering women and girls through education and opportunity, Soroptimist International of Fullerton has made a meaningful difference in our community. Your support of local schools, scholarships, and programs serving vulnerable populations has improved the lives of countless individuals and families. On behalf of the City of Fullerton and all its residents, we congratulate you on this remarkable milestone, thank you for your lasting contributions, and extend our best wishes for continued success.”

Sponsors and donors for the fundraiser included: Bagne Foundation, Morningside of Fullerton, American First Credit Union, Summit House, Mulberry Street, Total Wine & More, Starbucks ~La Habra, Trader Joe’s ~ Yorba Linda, Mamma Mia, Polar Springs Water, Costco ~ Fullerton, Twisted Vine, Buddy Lang and David Secola. To learn more about Soroptimist International of Fullerton, visit the org’s website at: https://fullertonsoroptimist.org