Altrusa Club, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, charter

Begun in 1917 by Nashville, Tennessee, Kiwanis member, Dr. Alfred Durham, the Altrusa Institute (later the National Association of Altrusa Clubs, then Altrusa International) is an organization dedicated to improving economic well-being and quality of life through a commitment to community services and literacy.

In 1966, the organization began to look to America’s youth as the future of Altrusa and established ASTRA service clubs. ASTRA encourages young people, ages 13 to 21, to participate in community service. Expanding on its commitment to youth, Altrusa adopted literacy as ongoing area of service in 1977. Increasing its global outlook, Altrusa expanded projects beyond literacy and education by adopting a resolution to promote environmental concerns in 1989. In 2011, the association launched a new branding and marketing campaign with the purpose of increasing Altrusa’s image in the communities, and reaching out to an evolving membership.