Trenton Action News - January 26, 2026 (Jan. 26, 2026)

Celebrating Women in Rotary!

Today we celebrate 37 years of a historic moment that transformed Rotary International - Women's Inclusion!!!.

Since 1989, your leadership, commitment and vision have strengthened our service and expanded our impact in communities around the world.

Rotary is stronger when it's diverse and history continues to be written with equality and action.

Evolution of Women in Rotary International

1911 - The first exclusion: Just six years after Rotary's founding, the Board of Directors declares women ineligible for membership.

1923 - The Manchester Attempt: The Rotary Club of Manchester (England) proposes to allow women, but the proposal is rejected at the Saint Louis Convention.

1950 - The Constant "No": For decades, clubs in India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and other countries have submitted proposals to remove the word "masculine" from the statute, but they are always defeated in the Legislative Council.

1977 - Club of Duarte breaks the mold: The Rotary Club of Duarte, California, admits three women (Mary Lou Elliott, Rosemary Freitag and Donna Bogart) to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Rotary International withdraws their constitutional charter.

1983 - The Legal Battle: The Duarte Club sues Rotary International alleging discrimination. Case escalates in California courts.

1986 - A door wide open: The Legislative Council votes to allow clubs in India to admit women, but the measure is reconsidered and quickly rejected.

May 4, 1987 - The historic ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that Rotary clubs cannot exclude women for their gender. Rotary International announces USA Clubs UU. they can now admit them.

1989 - Global Formality: The Legislative Council votes to remove the requirement to be "male" in statutory around the world. The woman becomes a full-fledged partner at the international level.

1995 - First Female Governors: Eight women take over as District Governors, marking the beginning of women in district leadership.

2022 - Glass Ceiling Breaks: Jennifer Jones (of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Canada) becomes the first female President of Rotary International in its 117-year history.

Do you shop at Kroger?

You can help Trenton Rotary!

Visit http://www.kroger.com. Once logged into your Kroger account and search for Trenton Rotary Foundation, Inc either by name or QC394 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card. Rotary gets a donation based on your purchase!

*Customers must have a registered Kroger rewards card account to link to our organization.