TOASTMASTERS

Toastmasters International was formed in October 1924, by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley. The first group met in the basement of the Santa Ana, California, YMCA, with the goal “to afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among its members.” Growth was initially confined to California at first, but after the War, clubs were formed all over the country. The organization was limited to men only until 1973.

There are two St. Louis Park Toastmasters chapters that we know of:

Forty Niners

The Forty Niners Chapter of Toastmasters International (“Leadership Through Speech”) met at La Miracle Dining at the Wooddale Business Center in January 1955.

Speakeasy

The Speakeasy Chapter of Toastmasters #1789 actually started in Golden Valley in April 1967. The first meeting was held at the Pako Co., and the name Speakeasy came after five meetings. The group was geared to businessmen; women were not allowed. Dewey Brokofsky, a Honeywell employee, was a key member and recruiter of other members. Morris Buckmaster was the group’s first president.

Shortly after forming, the group moved to St. Louis Park, although their chapter banner still says Golden Valley. In 1972 they met at the Leaning Post. Other venues included the Anchor Inn and a Twin City Federal building at Knollwood. Besides weekly speeches within the group, members volunteered to make speeches to groups on behalf of the Kidney Foundation, the Cancer Society, and the United Way.

As was happening with other organizations, women were increasingly unhappy about being excluded from Toastmasters, and women’s groups such as the Letterettes Toastmistress club were unsuccessful. In August 1973, Toastmasters International voted to give clubs the option of admitting women. Two thirds of the club must favor admitting women in order to make the change. Speakeasy first voted in January 1974, voting no and taking a “wait and see” attitude. Debates were held with other Toastmasters groups, particularly the Pony Expressers, and the newsletter asked questions such as “Will high heels even yet haunt the hallowed halls of Speakeasy?” Finally, on October 30, 1974, women were allowed into the group, and the men were urged to tone down the “garboons,” which we must presume were off-color jokes. Helen Wegner was the first female member, joining in 1975.

Speakeasy Toastmasters newsletters can be a reflection of popular culture, with jokes about women’s lib and streakers. The group also explored Transactional Analysis, which was being taught at Honeywell.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.