Toastmasters International Makes History

I have been a perpetual guest of Toastmasters for several years.  My “perpetual guest” status results from my husband’s active engagement yielding him championships in Speech Evaluation and Impromptu Speaking contests. In addition, he successfully competed in the 2010 and 2012 Toastmasters International Speech Contest where he finished in the top 1% of a field of 30,000 competitors from across the world.

So, I have observed contest on the local, district, regional, and international levels. I actually love the contests. The speeches are sometimes motivating, others are enduring, while some can be thought provoking.  Some of my favorites are the tall tale and humorous speech contests. Laughter can be a ray of sunshine for the soul. Those contests feel like a sunny afternoon on a California beach.

For those who are not familiar with Toastmasters, it is an organization that builds member leadership skills through effective communication coaching and training. The organization is comprised of more than 16,400 clubs with 352,000 members worldwide. Members have an opportunity to enhance their communication and leadership skills by writing, practicing, and delivering speeches.

This year, the international contest was held in Chicago.

I had an amazing time!

Each year since 1938, thousands of Toastmasters compete in the International Speech Contest. Competition begins with club contests and winners continue to the area, division, and district levels. Finalists at the district level participate in the semifinals, for the chance to win the World Championship of Public Speaking^®.

For 35 years, this was a “men’s only” club. In 1973, Toastmasters opened their membership to women. Since that time, four women have won this international speech contest. That’s 4 out of 45.

This year was a little different.

Not only did a woman place in the top three positions, for the first time in Toastmasters history, there was a top-three sweep!

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Anita Fain Taylor (3^rdplace winner) who shared with us the invaluable advice her father gave her. Zifang Su (2^ndplace winner) who told us the importance of “turning around”. Ramona Smith (1^stplace winner), who not only won the International Contest, but told us how she was able to win the biggest fight of all … LIFE!

Gia Suggs, MPA, MA, EdD is an Organization Development Consultant. She manages a private practice and is a Distinguished Adjunct Professor at Olivet Nazarene University located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Dr. Gia is also the author of Onboarding; Maximizing the Success of New Employees & Shattering the Glass Ceiling; How to Break Through Without Breaking Down (both available on Amazon.com).

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