Optimist International history

Growing with dramatic flourish, the Optimists blossomed into a highly respected and influential group by 1922, boasting 49 clubs and 4000 members.

Four months later, the second Canadian Optimist Club was chartered in Hamilton, about 40 miles west of Toronto. As a result, in 1923, the motto "Friend of the Delinquent Boy" was chosen, setting the course of the organization.

These developments, coupled with the establishment of the first Canadian Club (Toronto, 1924) and the birth of Junior Optimist clubs seemed to guarantee the growth and prosperity of the organization.

A.B. “Happy” Chandler, the two time Kentucky governor, served on the Executive Committee of Optimist International and was named the organization’s first director of sports and athletics in 1927.

26, 1956, the Optimist Club of Troy was incorporated with the State of Ohio on Jan.

In 1978, the International Board of Directors voted to sponsor one the most prestigious junior golf events in the world, now known as the Optimist Junior World Golf Tournament.

In 1994, Optimist International kicked-off its 75th anniversary year at the 75th International Convention in Louisville, Ky., the site of the first and 50th convention.

Also, in 2006, Ronnie Dunn of Frankfort became the first female international president in the organization’s history.

The Troy Noon Optimist Club celebrated 60 years of service to the Troy community in 2017.