Washington Women's History Consortium

Women's Clubs and Organizations

Betty Salvini, President, 1966-1968

Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs

The 38th President of WSFWC, Betty Meek Salvini, was a native Washingtonian. Her father was a fruit and produce buyer-warehouse manager in the Yakima and 'o*cnaichee Vallev s. hei rilother, a homemaker. She was horn in Monitor and raised and attended school in Hanford, the "Atomic City. ' Perhaps this accounts for the forward drive which inspired Washington's clubwomen to follow her excellent leadership.

Betty married Jame, Salvini, a graduate of the University of Washington L- School. in 194 1. Alter World War 11. they settled in Sunnyside, where their on]) son, John, was born.

Betty began her Federated club work as a charter member of the Surmyside Junior Women's Club. Later, she helped organize the Nouvella Club and became its first President. She served as President of the Yakima Valley District and as State Junior Director. In May of 1966, she was installed as President of WSFWC.

Experienced in public affairs, Mrs. Salvini participated in almost every civic area in her hometown. She received a Life Membership in PTA and served as president of the Pearl Hughes Orthopedic Guild and the Sunnyside Women's Republican Club. She was chairman of the Sunnyside Community Trupocment Council, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Surmyside UGN, as well as of the First Methodist Church.

Under her guidance as a member of the Yakima County Committee for Mental Health and Mental Retardation, in 1967 the state appropriated the first funds to start programs on the county level relating to these problems.

Membership building was emphasized during this administration. A standard printed form was developed to be used by all clubs when a member moved to introduce her to the club in her new area. New brochures were made available and KING TV (Seattle) produced an hour-long program telling of WSFWC programs and projects.

During her administration- the WSFWC had five Community Improvement Seminars. Water conservation was another concern of this administration.

In the fall of 1966, a postage stamp commemorating the 75th anniversary of the GFWC - The Diamond Jubilee - was produced. It sold for 5 cents. Mrs. Milton Sutton was named the WSFWC "Jewel" and honored at the GFWC convention as Washington's outstanding club member.

The 71st State Convention was May 3-5, 1967, at the Winthrop Hotel in Tacoma. A motion passed giving the president permission to hire a part-time Secretary at a yearly salary of approximately $500.

The 1967 Fall Board Meeting was at the Chinook Hotel in Yakima as it was agreed to locate board meetings in the center areas of the state, Yakima and Ellensburg. For the first time, it was opened to all club members, for whom a workshop was planned while others attended the board meeting. Approximately 90 were in attendance.

Mrs. Proffitt moved that all of the officers be elected in the even-numbered years and chairmen appointed at that time. Districts were to follow the same pattern.

Resolutions were read concerning the raising of personnel standards for police officers, program studies and tax structure.

The 72nd annual State Convention with its theme "Symbols of the Future," was at the Leopold Hotel in Bellingham May 1-3, 1968.

Mrs. Mitchell Demon. chairman of the Resolutions Committee, presented reSOIL10011S concerning State Constitutional Convention, State Institutions. Capital Punishment. Taxes, Police Officers, Education for Good Outdoor Manners. Recreation Areas. Public and Private Pollution, Commercial Vessels and Pleasure Boats.

At the Junior-Senior Banquet special recognition was given to the Odessa Women's Club who placed in the top ten of the National Sears Community Improvement Cool"L

In a response to the inquiry "What do you want to be remembered ahout in your term?" Mrs. Salvini stated: "I think, overall, I will be remembered as a President with orgaanzing skills who developed other members into Federation leadership. Seeing others develop confidence and go ahead into various Federation positions was one of the most rewarding experiences of iny term."

Mr. Salvini died in 1973, and in 1975, Betty married Dr. Donald Storslee. Betty Salvini Storslee died July 5, 1991, at Sunnyside Community Hospital.