About Us
Altrusa was established in 1917 by Dr. Alfred Durham, a member of Kiwanis, in Nashville, Tennessee. Record numbers of women were going to work during World War I and Durham saw the need for women's civic organizations. While he would organize the clubs and collect a portion of the dues, Durham envisioned the Altrusa Institute as a chain of national clubs where business and professional women could meet and exchange ideas.
Altrusa International of Rogers was established in 1954. The members immediately adopted dental care for underpriviledged children as a service project. Over the years, the dental program has continued to be an important part of Altrusa, but members have adopted other important projects as well. They have expanded on the literacy program and volunteered at dozens of community events.
Altrusa International of Rogers collected over 300 books and magazines for the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Fayetteville as the organization's Make A Difference Day project. Pictured loading the books for delivery are Barb Smith, far left, President Terri Harkins and Debi Guinn. Altrusa chapters across the country are encouraged to participate in Make A Difference Day. Rogers Altrusans chose to combine Make A Difference Day efforts with their literacy program and chose to donate to the veterans facility after reading about the need for books and magazines. Altrusa is a civic organization in existance in Rogers since 1954. The Rogers chapter will host the District 8 Conference in April at Embassy Suites with Altrusans attending from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas.
