1936-1958:
The Organization Solidifies

1938 – Inter-Club Speech Contest begins

In the first Inter-Club 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® each year at the Toastmasters International Convention.

1938 – International Toastmistress Clubs incorporates

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

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

Joint meeting of Edinburgh Toastmasters and Toastmistresses in October 1949

1945 – First District outside of the United States

Toastmasters reaches this key international milestone when District 18 in Scotland is officially organized.

Large group of men wearing tuxedos sitting in rows

Toastmasters Club of Glasgow, Scotland (June 1938)

1951 – 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.