History
A tradition of service
It started with a casual remark. Bess Cook Budde and Gladys Stewart Walters were talking. Bess noted that there were many things for boys to do in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, but not for girls. It was January 1911.
Gladys, a student at Northwestern University, had an English assignment to write answering the question, "What have you received from your work in English that you can carry away with you for use the remainder of your life?"
With Bess’ comment in mind, Gladys envisioned clubs being formed by women in their hometowns, each with the same name and same ideals. The focus would be on service embodied in charity. She believed charity was three-fold: thought, word and deed.
She shared the idea with Bess, who liked it immediately. They gathered four friends and met for the first time on June 30, 1911. The T.T.T. Society was born.
Over the years, additional chapters were formed until it became apparent in 1930 that a national organization was needed. In January 1931, the first national convention was held and the name changed to the National T.T.T. Society.
Today, more than 4,000 members in 14 states carry on the work of the six founders.
