The Soroptimist Club of Manteca celebrated the addition of 13 new members Tuesday night at Mike’s Restaurant on North Main Street.
The service club’s membership had dropped to just more than a dozen active members. The club was established in 1953 with the goal of making a positive difference in the community.
The new Soroptimist members include Bryna Carter, manager of the Kohl’s Department Store in Manteca; Sherryl Price, principal of August Knodt Elementary School; Sandra Young, retired teacher and principal and an alumni of Manteca High School; Kelly Jenetine, customer service representative of F&M Bank; Sarah Nunes, flight attendant for Southwest Airlines; Karen Middleton, owner of Dust Busters; Denielle Harper, whose grandparents owned Honodel Pharmacy; Mary Smalley, retired from Central Valley Bank and Bank of the West; Nelda Whiteside, retired elementary school teacher; and Shawna Burgos.
Soroptimists was chartered in Manteca in the 1953-1954 year with Dorothy Hedman as its first president.  Many of those who followed in her chair are names that have long been heralded of having a positive impact on the club and the community such as Lena Kapka who was a reporter for the Manteca Bulletin and a correspondent for the Modesto Bee.
Kathryn Wendorff who was a correspondent for the Stockton Record served in 1955 and Mary Albertsen who was the administrative assistant for Congessman John McFall working at his side in  his office on North Grant Street. Others included Esther Thoma, manager of Central Valley Bank and Alice Coon, Bianca Jaklich and Manteca City Clerk Nell Cornell among the whole long list of Who’s Who in Manteca history.
“Together we can make dreams come true!” is their theme under a “business” heading.  Recognized for their years of club service are Pat Johnson and Mary Albertsen with 63 years each; Dolores Cardoza and Connie Meintasis with 50 years; Marion Thibodeau with 45 years;  Bea Bowlsby and Arlene Sevor  with 35 years; Mary Lou Kirk and Judy Vasquez with 30 years; and Frankie Rieger, Betty Ingell, Jan Brown and Dorothy DeCosta with 25 years.
The next Soroptimistfundraiser — A Holiday Affair — is planned for Dec. 13 in the lobby of Bank of Stockton with ticket prices remaining the same at $75 for an evening of fun, food and laughter along with an open bar. 
The club’s crab feed date is set for Jan. 27 at the MRPS Hall in a joint effort with the Manteca Morning Rotary Club.
Club President Carol Nunes said her motto for the year is “To inspire and believe so we can allow change, then learn to embrace it.”
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. 
Soroptomists ideals are to stand for the sincerity of friendship, the joy of achievement, the dignity of service, the integrity of profession, the love of country, putting forth the greatest effort to promote and uphold and defend these ideals for a larger fellowship in home, in society, in business, for country and for God.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.