The Orlando Sorosis Club

Originally starting in 1868 in New York by Jane Cunningham Croly, the Sorosis Club is a women's club that focuses on education, philanthropy, and improvement of public interest in the community. The word sorosis is from the Latin word meaning "sisterhood" and the Greek word meaning "an aggregation." The Orlando Sorosis Club began in 1893, when Mrs. Robert Howe organized ten women, with a specific interest in literature. The group grew to twenty-five members when it came time to write a charter.

In the beginning, meetings were held in the homes of club members. Eventually, rooms in the Armory building were used for meetings and the club library was located on the second floor. The club purchased half of the Knox building on East Pine Street to use as a clubhouse and to keep the library. The Sorosis Club and the Board of Education made plans to create an official public library in Orlando in 1919. The club donated its books and in 1923, the Albertson Public Library opened.

In 1920, the Sorosis Club sold their location on East Pine Street and plans were made for a new clubhouse on Liberty Street, which was finished in 1922. During World War II, the clubhouse was used for United Service Organizations (USO) meetings. In 1952, the club was awarded the National Federation Community Improvement award for their efforts in providing their community with a mobile book service, as well as providing a scholarship to an African-American student for medical school. 

In 1970, the Sorosis Club sold its location on Liberty Street and moved to the current clubhouse at 501 East Livingston Avenue in March of 1972. The group continued to be active in the Orlando community by promoting education and community involvement with scholarships, campaigns, and gatherings.