‘Girl Ranches’ In Arizona

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 2

‘Girl Ranches’ In Arizona

Three “girls’ ranches,” established by Soroptimist Clubs in Arizona, sound like glamour cattle stations in a Western film. They are, in fact, homes for girls who are wards of the court or children of separated parents. They were part of the Soroptimist programme in the United States to help the young become good citizens, Mrs Emily Ziegler, of San Diego, said in Christchurch yesterday. Mrs Ziegler, who is a pastpresident of the Soroptimist Federation of the Americas, said two of the three homes had been given to the Soroptimists of Arizona in recognition of their good work in the state. Judge’s Concern The idea of setting up the ranches came from a judge in Phoenix, Arizona, Mrs Ziegler said. The judge, a club member, was deeply concerned about the welfare of girls who came before her in court and felt something practical should be done to help them. Other Soroptimists got behind her to raise all the funds to buy and maintain homes which would give the girls love and security. Mrs Ziegler said that whenever a Soroptimist became particularly interested in a community problem in the United States her club would give its fullest support, if possible. “Soroptimists have also given a great deal of help to the Girls’ Clubs of America movement, which aims at preventing juvenile delinquency and building character,” Mrs Ziegler said. Welfare Of Aged North American-Soroptim-ists had not, however, lost their interest in the welfare of senior citizens, she said, and they had built homes for elderly women, who had no family, in Miami, Los Angeles and in Vancouver, British Columbia. Many clubs were also helping local organisations build community homes for the aged. Other clubs provided the funds for home-aid services for the elderly and others in need, in association with home-visiting nurses’ groups. Big Federation The Soroptimist Federation of the Americas includes elubs in the United States, Canada, South America, South Korea, the Philippines and Japan. This federation provides fellowships for students in many developing countries. While Mrs Ziegler was federation president the annual fellowship was awarded to a Filipino girl to study human relations at Columbia University. “At the federation level we have also been working consistently for the Freedom From Hunger Campaign in conjunction with the United Nations on its projects,” she said. Mrs Ziegler, who is now a board member of the Soroptimist International Association, is visiting New Zealand on holiday with a friend, Mrs Eva Blake, a past-president of the Soroptimist Club of Trenton, New Jersey. “We met at a Soroptimist convention in 1946 and we have travelled abroad about once a year ever since,” Mrs Ziegler said. The American visitors were entertained during the weekend 'by the Soroptimist Club of Christchurch. The photograph below shows Mrs Blake (left) and Mr* Ziegler.