Violet Richardson Ward

A., M. A., was the founding president of Soroptimist International and a pioneer in American physical education for schoolchildren.

After graduation she enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley as an art major, but soon moved to health and physical education.

[1] In 1983 Lillian Estelle Fisher published Violet Richardson Ward, Founder-president of Soroptimist.

When she retired from the presidency, her parting words were: "Let us continue the work together and with others, toward the development of a better womanhood, a better manhood, and a better citizenship.

[2] The Founder Region of Soroptimist International presents the Violet Richardson Award to "young women between the ages of 14 and 18 for volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the environment and working to end discrimination and poverty.