We hope you enjoy the programs at eClub One

 eClub:  Tell us something about yourself and your journey through Rotary.

Talee:  I joined Smoky Hill Rotary Club (Aurora, Colorado USA) in July, 1988, as the 4^th woman in our Rotary Club of 45 members.  My Rotary Club likes to think of itself as the first one in District 5450 to have invited women to join when the court order came down, however, I know of at least three other clubs in our same district who think they have that claim to fame! 

I joined because it was a requirement of my job description and really didn’t have any idea what Rotary was about…nor did I realize that women had only been allowed to belong to Rotary for a short while. 

Immediately upon joining the club I began to co-chair the Program committee…that got me started full swing!  The next year I was asked to serve as Sgt of Arms…in my estimation the most fun job in the club because you get to speak to everyone each week. 

The following year I was elected to Vice-President as the beginning of my 3 year ascent to becoming the first woman President of the club.  In 1992-1993, I served as President and thereafter began serving Rotary at the District level, first as a members of the District Membership Committee, Vocational Service Committee,  then Newsletter Editor, Governor’s Representative, and then as District Governor Nominee, District Governor Elect, and District Governor in 1999-2000. 

During that year there were 20 women District Governors throughout Rotary International in 528 Rotary Districts.  Since my term as District Governor I have served at the Zone and International levels with such appointments as one of seven international members of the Membership Task Force in 2000-2001 [representing Western North America], as Rotary International Membership Coordinator for Zone 25 2001-2003, as Governor Elect Training Seminar Leader (2001 & 2003), and several years as Rotary International Presidents’ Representative.  Beginning in July 2003, I will chair our District Rotary Foundation Committee.

eClub: Women were admitted to full membership in Rotary in 1987 but women have always been a part of the Rotary scene.  What were some of the most significant contributions by women in the early days of Rotary?

Talee: In 1921 - Mrs. Alwilda F. Harvey, wife of the then Chicago Rotary Club president, stepped into a leadership that brought fifty-nine Rotary wives together. She became founder and president of a new organization, called the Women of Rotary.  

Less than a month later an International convention of Rotary formally prohibited women as members of Rotary and further prohibited the use of Rotary’s name by women’s clubs.  It did, however, permit a “Ladies Auxiliary” for Rotary Clubs. 

In 1923, English wives of Rotarians adopted the name of “Inner Wheel” for their auxiliary club.  The Inner Wheel continues to thrive in European countries today.

The United States in 1928, established the Rotary Ann [a nickname for Rotary wives] auxiliary organization.  One of the purposes of a Rotary Ann Club was to bring into fellowship the families of the members of the Rotary club. Other objectives included assisting Rotarians in the execution of various club and community projects and upholding the purposes and aims of Rotary.

Most chapters met once a month, usually at the home of one of the members.  These meetings were devoted mainly to fellowship and to discuss the various projects of the Rotary Ann Club as well as possible assistance to their Rotarian spouses.  Most Rotary Ann clubs disappeared in the US in the late 1980s.

eClub: Who was the first woman member of a Rotary Club; what did she experience over the years; where is she today?

Talee: While there is much debate on who was the “first woman” to officially become a Rotarian, Rotary history tells us that Sylvia Whitlock of the Rotary Club of Duarte, California, was the first woman club president in Rotary International 1987-88. (http://rotarywomen.org/issues-legal/duarte/index.htm).

Sylvia received her B.A. Hunter College of the City University of New York, Masters of Arts from Cal Poly Pomona, Ph.D. in Education at Claremont Graduate School. She was qualified to serve as President by attending the Presidents Elect Training Seminar and District Assembly after being elected by the Rotary Club of Duarte.  She continues to be an active member of her Club. 

To hear her own account of this Rotary first, visit:  http://rotarywomen.org/clubpresidents/dg.htm

The first class of women District Governors was in 1995, with 8 women from the United States serving in this capacity.  They included

Mimi Altman, RC of Deerfield, IL, D 6440;

Gilda Chirafisi, RC of Riverdale, NY, D 7230;

Janet W. Holland, RC of Mineral Wells, TX, D 5790;

Reba F. Lovrien, RC of Albuquerque Del Norte, NM, D 5520;

Virginia B. Nordby, RC of Ann Arbor North, MI, D 6380;

Donna J. Rapp, RC of Midland Morning, MI, D 6310;

Anne Robertson, RC of Fulton, KY, D 6710; and

Olive P. Scott, RC of Cobleskill, NY, D 7190.

To read about their year and  them individually visit:  http://rotarywomen.org/firstdgs/the-year/index.htm and  http://rotarywomen.org/firstdgs/index.htm

eClub: What evidence is there that extending the membership in Rotary to women has benefited the organization?

Talee: According to the History of Rotary website, “The addition of women in Rotary represents the single greatest force in the growth of Rotary International”.  However, most Rotarians and Rotary Clubs know first-hand the powerful impact that bringing women into their membership has made on the work of our organization.

The official policy of Rotary International prohibits the exclusion of women from Rotary membership, although in certain parts of the world it remains extremely rare to find a woman as a Club member.  And, I am told, that in some parts of the world visiting women Rotarians are not warmly received. 

In Rotary year 2002-2003 it is estimated that there are 120,000 women members, holding approximately 2,200 offices as Club President, and 28 female District Governors in 530 Rotary Districts worldwide.

While Rotary International does not specifically record membership by gender, it appears that the fastest growing category of new members are women, especially in the western world.

eClub: The acceptance of women in Rotary has been slow in some cultures.

Talee:  We must remember that our organization is an international one, with a wide variety of cultural traditions and expectations.  As such, the tradition of invitation to membership varies widely from country to country.  In some countries, women have historically occupied (and perhaps continue to occupy) a position of less occupational prestige and/or prominence than have men.  The tradition of these cultures, and the clubs which operate within them, thus act as barriers to membership.

eClub: What progress has been made in those areas?

Talee: As previously stated, Rotary international has established gender inclusive parameters for membership.  Within our organization more and more women are being given visible leadership roles at international events and are setting positive examples as to the value of women in leadership positions in Rotary.  Having said that, it must be remembered that Rotary is a well-established institution and old values and traditions are difficult to replace. 

eClub: How are the clubs of all women Rotarians doing? 

Talee: While single sex Clubs are discouraged by official policy, they do exist, and it is not uncommon, especially in Mexico and South America, to find clubs of all women.  And the work of single sex clubs is not unlike the work of other Rotary Clubs throughout the world, with a focus on Service above Self.

eClub: What important issues surrounding women as equals in Rotary remain to be resolved? How can that be accomplished?

Talee: Although I have heard other women Rotary leaders talk about negative experiences, I personally find it difficult to answer this question since I do not believe that I have experienced any discrimination or lack of opportunity in Rotary because I am a woman.  Indeed, perhaps that fact that I am not the “typical” Past District Governor has brought me more recognition than I might have otherwise enjoyed.  I believe that the day to day experience of men and women Rotarians working together on committees and on projects will be the best way to dispel any preconceived negative expectations about women in Rotary. 

eClub: What will be required of a woman Rotarian to be elected to the RI Board and nominated for President?

Talee: Although I often hear complaints about the fact that there are no women among the Directors or the Foundation Trustees, I believe most Rotarians do not realize the length of time and level of commitment to Rotary work that must be undertaken for any Rotarian to earn election to, or selection for, such a prestigious appointment. 

I remember Past President Frank Devlyn commenting several years ago at an International Convention, that it was the 26^th International Convention, he had attended.  Past President Frank had been working for Rotary at the International level for many, many years before his selection as a Director and as a President. 

When women have been in Rotary long enough to have earned the credentials, by a demonstration of their Rotary work and successful progression through a series of increasingly more important assignments, then, and only then, will a woman be elected by her zone, and/or selected by an International President to serve in one of these most honored positions of leadership.  I do not believe that this procedure should be short circuited simply because of one’s sex and to do so would certainly violate the Four Way Test.

eClub: Will that be any different than for a Rotarian male? 

Talee: No, I certainly hope it would not. 

eClub:  Thank you, Talee, for your information and thoughtful insights into what is clearly the major contribution to Rotary adaptability and sustainability for the Twenty First Century.

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