Sylvia Whitlock’s amazing story of women in Rotary was an eye-opening look at how women came to be members in Rotary International.   To most members of our club, the fact that women came to be members in 1987 was accepted as part of the changing times helped along by a Supreme Court decision.  The story is far more interesting than that date in 1987.

 

The story begins in Duarte, California in 1976.  The incoming president of the Rotary Club of Duarte, Dr. Richard Key (Superintendent of the Duarte School District), wanted to increase the club’s membership and in looking at his community he realized that many women in his community would make excellent Rotarians.  The problem was that Rotary International did not allow women to become members.  After his positive discussion with his District Governor about the notion of accepting women, he began the process of nominating women into the Duarte club.  The District Governor suggested that when he sent the names to RI, he should only submit the person’s first initial instead of their first name.  Three women were invited to join and the club “entered the business of service above self and busied themselves with serving the community of which the school district was a part.” (Note 1)

 

In 1977, the club prepared for its 25^th Anniversary.  In that spirit, they notified RI and a representative was sent to the activity.  Unfortunately after that event, the Duarte Club was informed of the following:

 

The bylaws did not permit female Rotarians.

The Duarte Club was to ask the women to leave its membership.

If the women did not leave, the Duarte Club could no longer call itself a Rotary club. (Note 1)

 

At that point, the Duarte Club became the EX-Rotary Club of Duarte and continued on with its  Rotary mission of Service above Self.  This began a court case in California which reached the California Supreme Court where a decision was made in favor of the Duarte Club.  California clubs began to accept women, but RI decided to pursue this in federal court in order to overturn the California decision and reach a national decision.  That case ended up in front of the Supreme Court which ruled in favor of the Duarte Club.  In 1987, Duarte became an official Rotary club again (noted by receiving dues statements from RI).

 

Sylvia Whitlock’s presentation was filled with insightful information and humor. 

 

(Note 1) Women Also Serve, Sylvia Whitlock, iUniverse, 2015

 

We have only three (3) remaining autographed copies of Dr. Whitlock's book, Women Also Serve, available for purchase for $20.  See Jacque at the meeting or phone the office (409-842-1913) to reserve a copy.