Rotary International Salutes Marks International Women's Day
March is Women's History Month, and March 8 is International Women's Day. In honor of that, Rotary International created a Facebook post taking a closer look at a founding Mother of Rotary, Sylvia Whitlock.
When Rotary was created, it was an explicitly male-only organization. In 1978, the Duarte, CA Rotary Club challenged that by inviting three women to become members- including Sylvia Whitlock, who officially joined in 1982. In response, RI revoked the club's charter. The Duarte club sued and won in the California state courts, and the case was appealed to the US Supreme Court. The highest court in the land ruled in 1987 that women could not be barred from joining Rotary Clubs.
Sylvia Whitlock went on to become the first woman president of a Rotary Club, serving as president in 1987.
Today, Rotary International honors her by bestowing the Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award on one Rotary member each year. The award celebrates someone who has actively worked to advance women in Rotary.
|
