Longtime volunteer Ronda Landrum attended Soroptimist International of La Jolla’s Jan. 6 dinner as if it were any regular meeting. But to her surprise, the event was dedicated to her with a cake, photos and a special decoration.
“I didn’t know it was going to be a big deal until I got there and I put a crown on my head,” Landrum said, a smile growing on her face.
The meeting marked Landrum’s 50th year of serving the La Jolla Soroptimist group, which was founded in 1947 and is one of 1,300 clubs in the worldwide volunteer organization that work to benefit women and girls.
One of the club’s flagship events, the Live Your Dream Awards luncheon, is scheduled for Saturday, March 28. Proceeds will go toward cash awards meant to help women who are the primary financial providers for their families.
Over its nearly 80 years, Soroptimist International of La Jolla helped found the Doris A. Howell Foundation to accelerate research through events and scholarships; established a grant for survivors of domestic violence; and launched Dream It, Be It, a workshop for 10th- and 11th-grade girls, among other accomplishments.
According to the club, Landrum has served in nearly every office position in her five decades of service, many of them twice. She also is noted for her mentorship of new members.
“Ronda represents the very heart of Soroptimist,” said Tawn Nguyen, president of the La Jolla group. “Her 50 years of service reflect dedication, continuity and mentorship that sustain our club across generations.”
Landrum, a La Jolla native, joined the group in January 1976 as a representative of Allied Van Lines. But she quickly connected with the group’s mission to socially and economically empower women and girls.
“You get to where you just love the people,” Landrum said. “I’ve made the best friends in that group, and it’s like a big family almost. But if anybody wants to work with us, we’re willing to work.”
After working for a La Jolla branch of Allied for 30 years, Landrum launched her own practice for personal accounts in people’s homes. She now lives in Poway with her brother and grandson and retired last year.
In her retirement, Landrum says she enjoys reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, landscaping her yard and managing six rental properties.
She also keeps in touch with people she’s worked with over the years.
“I’m doing a lot of going out to lunch now,” Landrum said.
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