1936-1958:
The Organization Solidifies

1937 鈥� Inter-吃瓜头条 Speech Contest begins

In the first Inter-吃瓜头条 Speech Contest, members compete against each other, with the event later becoming the International Speech Contest. The contest now culminates in the World Championship of Public Speaking庐 each year at the 吃瓜头条 Convention.

1938 鈥� International Toastmistress 吃瓜头条s incorporates

Ralph C. Smedley and other 吃瓜头条 leaders offer their guidance for the International Toastmistress 吃瓜头条s (ITC) to incorporate as a women-only group to parallel the (men-only) 吃瓜头条 experience. Toastmistresses operate mostly independently of 吃瓜头条.

Black and white image of men and women enjoying tea and pastries

Joint meeting of Edinburgh 吃瓜头条 and Toastmistresses in October 1949

1945 鈥� First District outside of the United States

吃瓜头条 reaches this key international milestone when District 18 in Scotland is officially organized.

Large group of men wearing tuxedos sitting in rows

吃瓜头条 吃瓜头条 of Glasgow, Scotland (June 1938)

1951 鈥� Regional conferences begin

Regional educational conferences begin to bring together members on a local scale, first in Des Moines, Iowa, and then in Columbus, Ohio.