Ruby Award winner now heading Soroptimists of Butler County
Despite being chartered in Butler County in 1953, people still constantly ask Barbara “BJ” Osche what Soroptimist International is.
So, she responds by telling them what the two Latin words mean that make up the moniker.
“Soroptimist means 'Best for women,' so that's primarily what their mission is, to help women and girls achieve a better life and financial security,” Osche said. “They have chapters in like 120 countries in South America, North America, the Pacific Rim. Our North Atlantic group is just one of five federations, and they have members in 120 countries. So, it's a pretty big outfit.”
Osche joined Soroptimist International of Butler County in 2018. After being president-elect for two years, she took on the role of president this summer. While her tenure kicked off at the organization’s annual picnic in August, Osche said one of her goals for her term is to get more people involved in Soroptimist International.
“That's one of the things I'd like to try to get us more focus on. Maybe come to us for help or support us when we have our fundraisers,” she said. “A lot of our members come from friends. We tell them if they have anybody who would like to join to just bring them along … and that's how we get to know them and welcome them into the club.”
The Soroptimist organization has its main fundraiser — the Spring Fling — in the spring. It mainly helps raise money for its scholarship programs. It’s also where the county chapter awards its scholarships. Osche said the winners of Butler County’s awards can go on to receive more scholarship awards at the regional and the international level of Soroptimist.
In addition to scholarships, the Butler County Soroptimists also make blankets through Michelle's Mission; provide bedding and small furniture to women through A Place to Lay My Head; and lead Dream It, Be It sessions, where Soroptimist members teach teenage girls life and career-readiness skills.
Osche said members also work with VOICE, Catholic Charities — Butler County, Under My Wing and more, to offer support to their programs.
“We have a thing where we go to Under My Wing, we go there and play bingo with the residents and provide drinks and snacks and prizes for them,” she said.
Osche said many of the local club’s initiatives are centered in Butler. However, the chapter covers all of Butler County. It also has awarded its scholarships and financial aid to people living outside the county, like Pittsburgh and Kittanning.
The club is made up of women of all ages. Osche said men are able to get involved as well. She said one of the perks of working with Soroptimist International is that each chapter has multiple committees that members can focus on if they have a particular area of interest.
“There's probably maybe 10 committees,” Osche said. “They have (chairwomen) just to make sure somebody is organizing to do certain things — all the members help out with all the different committees.”
Marianne Hill, the most recent past president of Soroptimist International of Butler County, said the role of the group’s president is to oversee the rest of the members and relay important information from the international leaders. According to Hill, the international organization communicates regularly with its districts and the individual clubs within them.
“She kind of keeps tabs on all the ladies and makes sure whatever they are chair of is going well and on time,” Hill said. “Headquarters will generally bypass the region district leader and go directly to the club … She kind of has to look at a lot of different angles and see if it's something she needs to address herself.”
Hill also said she has known and worked with Osche before the new president was involved in Soroptimist International. Another longtime supporter of the Musical Theatre Guild of Butler, Hill has experience with Osche’s leadership there, and said her organizational skills will come in handy with the Soroptimists.
“She's very intelligent, very organized and a great leader,” Hill said. “And I think she'll be able to keep things in control and do things in a timely manner. I'm looking forward to having BJ as president for two years.”
Osche said Soroptimist International is a good organization for women who want to help other women. She enjoys being part of a group that is made up of like-minded people.
“Doing something kind for other people, I really enjoy that,” Osche said. “It's really been fun, it's a good organization.”
For more information on Soroptimist International of Butler County, visit its Facebook page, or email Osche at beeg36@embarqmail.com.
The club holds its meetings at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Butler Cubs, 113 S. McKean Street in Butler. Osche said anyone is welcome to attend to learn more about the club.
