The Azoans was a philanthropic organization of pharmacists' wives and sisters. The Azoans was organized by Al Kolman and Sadie Karpa (later Kolman). The idea for the Azoans was born after Sadie Karpa attended a meeting of the Alpha Zeta Omega (AZO) pharmaceutical fraternity in Cincinnati and she realized how well the women worked together, but without organization. Sadie decided to create the Azoans as an auxiliary to the fraternity. The first meeting was held on 15 Oct. 1931 at the home of Lee Kramer, the first president of the group. Dedicated to assisting the fraternity and to philanthropic ventures, the Azoans were never recognized by the AZO fraternity, and were limited in their efforts to the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area. The Azoans severed ties with the fraternity, but continued their charitable endeavors. The Depression meant the group had to be judicious in their spending at first. As membership in the organization increased, they were able to undertake larger projects, including purchasing an iron lung for South Baltimore General Hospital and purchasing a station wagon for the Red Cross. There is no indication that the Azoans was founded as a Jewish group; however most of the members and most of the charitable work centered around Jewish causes, both locally and internationally.
Ernestine Stiffman was an Azoans member and president of the organization from 1953 to 1954. Known as "Teeny", Stiffman continued to be active in the group until her death in 1989. She was married to George Stiffman. They had two children: Rabbi Jeffrey B. Stiffman, most recently of St. Louis, Mo., and Dr. Lawrence H. Stiffman, most recently of Ann Arbor, Mich.
From the description of Ernestine Stiffman papers of the Azoans, 1932-1989 and undated. (Jewish Historical Society of Maryland Library). WorldCat record id: 71058662
