History

The History of Toastmasters

When Ralph C. Smedley formed the first official Toastmasters club in 1924, he sought to create a collaborative learning environment where young men could learn the art of public speaking. A century later, nearly 8 million members (of all genders) in 148 countries/territories around the world have worked on bettering themselves thanks to Smedley’s vision of a club environment where members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback.