Thanks to the Editor of Table Topics, Myra Goldenbaum of the RC of Cape Town, for the above “Women in Rotary” collage this month.

In late fall of 1886, District 530 Governor Nominee Tim Keen Siu sent to the Duarte Club and incoming president Sylvia Whitlock an invitation to attend California PETs and a notice of the district dues schedule.

California PETs took place in February, 1987, prior to the United States Supreme Court decision. However, it was incumbent on all California clubs to obey the ruling of the State Court of Appeals. At PETs, the attendance included 310 men and one woman, Sylvia Whitlock, and all were requested to bring a coat and tie for pictures to be taken. District 530 Governor Nominee Siu, in the district session, told of the Duarte Club’s actions, the court ruling, and the decision of Rotary International to appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States. His comment was, in direct reference to the club’s small number, “This is a case of the mouse that roared.”

The club, in deference to their pride in the “roar,” chose that phrase to appear on the club’s new banner.

Sylvia Whitlock served as president of Duarte for the 1987-1988 Rotary year, although she was unable to attend the International Convention in Munich, coming just one month after the Supreme Court decision.

It is 35 years since Rotary opened its doors to women.  Women are the fastest growing segment of Rotary’s membership and more and more women are serving as Club Presidents and District Governors, more recently, two RI International Presidents. There were 277,000 women in Rotary in July 2020 (about 23% ). 

Female membership, while growing, is still a vastly untapped resource that clubs need to take more advantage of.  All clubs (especially globally) should include, as part of their new membership strategy a clear plan to attract, nurture and maintain a greater female presence as a commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and equity.