Altrusa Club of Muncie, Inc. records

Altrusa International, originally known as Altrusa Institute, was founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1917 by Dr. Alfred Durham to meet the need for a women’s civic organization. Since 1918, the Altrusa Institute has been a classified service organization for women. Soon after the club was renamed the National Association of Altrusa Clubs, and adopted by-laws and principles. The adaptation of the by-laws and principles in 1921 led to a club building effort across the country.

The Altrusa Club of Muncie, Inc. was founded in 1923 when thirteen business and professional women met with Patty Garnet, the Altrusa National Organizer, to discuss the formation of a local club. The Altrusa Club of Muncie, Inc. was granted its charter in April 1925 at the National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1955, The Altrusa Club of Muncie, Inc. became part of Altrusa District Six, which is the regional group comprised of clubs from Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana.

The Altrusa Club of Muncie, Inc. serves the needs of the Muncie community, as well as the larger Delaware County in accordance with the principles of District Six and Altrusa International. Locally, the Altrusa Club of Muncie strives to provide support for community members in need, especially focusing on literacy, youth development, and family support. The club also offers financial support to numerous philanthropic projects, such as fundraising for the Ball Hospital Building Fund, and the Emens College-Community Auditorium Building Fund. The Club also strives to aid students with their education by providing scholarships such as the Mamie Bass Scholarship Loan Fund, and the Grants-in-Aid Project.