Women's History in Toastmasters International - Toastmasters

March is Women’s History Month, and a great time to learn about the history of women in Toastmasters, which has been a journey of empowerment!

Though it wasn’t until 1973 that women were officially welcomed as members of Toastmasters International, their involvement in the organization began much earlier. In the 1930s, women were often recognized as the “wives and sweethearts” of Toastmasters members, but they also took significant steps to carve out their own identity within the speaking community by forming the Toastmistresses.

The Call for Inclusion

In June 1937, The Toastmaster bulletin featured a compelling message from the Toastmistresses, urging the organization to allow them to join. The heartfelt plea stated, “We women want recognition,” advocating for the valuable contributions they could bring to Toastmasters. This call for inclusion underscored a shared commitment to the organization’s mission and the importance of recognizing women’s roles.

During the late 1930s, Toastmasters and Toastmistresses held joint conventions in San Jose, California, where Toastmistresses participated in various activities alongside their male counterparts. These collaborative events fostered camaraderie and set the stage for future partnerships, with reports of joint meetings appearing regularly in The Toastmaster.

Evolving Opportunities

Some Toastmasters clubs organized special “ladies’ night” events, allowing spouses to experience the organization firsthand. Additionally, women formed Gavel Clubs—affiliated clubs for those who did not meet the standard membership criteria of Toastmasters.

The effort to integrate women into Toastmasters continued, with a proposal in 1965 from the Founders District to establish auxiliary clubs for women. Although the Board of Directors permitted clubs to support these groups, they were not officially recognized. Female members could attend meetings as honorary Toastmasters, but they were not eligible for awards or full membership.

The landscape began to shift significantly in 1971, when an exemption was introduced for corporate clubs. This allowed women to join Toastmasters clubs sponsored by corporations, leading to a remarkable increase in female membership, with women constituting 10% of established clubs and 25% of newly chartered ones.

Pioneers of Change

During this transformative period, women like Helen Blanchard emerged as leaders. Blanchard would later become the first female International President of Toastmasters in 1985, and she cleverly navigated the system by using a gender-neutral name when applying for membership. Blanchard used the name H. Blanchard. World Headquarters requested her full name, so she chose the name “Homer”, instead of Helen! In the early 1970s, many women followed suit, which significantly boosted membership numbers during that time.

In 1977, Evelyn Jane Burgay made history as the first woman and first blind member to win the World Championship of Public Speaking at the International Convention, demonstrating the exceptional talent of women within the organization.

During the August 1973 International Convention, a pivotal decision was made to officially open Toastmasters International to women. This change marked a critical moment for the organization, allowing women to fully participate and share their names and achievements.

The Impact of Women in Toastmasters

Women quickly made their mark as official members, beginning with Stephanie Noonan, who became the first woman to reach the finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking in 1976. The momentum continued, with women achieving significant victories in various competitions, including three women taking the top three spots in the 2018 World Championship of Public Speaking.

In 2023, women continued to excel, with Jocelyn Tyson, Nisha Shivram, and Maryam Ganni earning the first, second, and third places, respectively. The powerful contributions of women have reshaped Toastmasters, reflecting the organization’s commitment to inclusivity.

Call to Action

As we celebrate the achievements of women in Toastmasters, we invite women in Arizona to join the Junior League of Phoenix Toastmasters Club, the only all-female Toastmasters club in the state. This club not only provides a supportive environment for women to develop their public speaking and leadership skills but is also the home club of our current District Director, Distinguished Toastmaster Sara Mayer, Club Growth Director, Distinguished Toastmaster Jill Kipnes, District 3 Public Relations Manager, Shelly Myers, and District 3 Administrative Manager, Jen Drews. There are other wonderful and impressive leaders in this outstanding President’s Distinguished Toastmasters club!

If you’re looking to enhance your communication skills, gain confidence, and connect with other inspiring women, the Junior League of Phoenix Toastmasters Club is the perfect place for you. Join us and become part of a legacy that empowers women to find their voices and lead with confidence!