Rotary Club says‘ no’ to women members

July 1989

Wexford Rotary Club is to remain an exclusively male preserve following a decision last week not to allow women members.

In a secret ballot, a majority of exisitng members voted in favour of maintaining the status quo and against the opening of the club to both men and women.

The vote followed an amendment to the organisation’s international constitution, providing for female membership of clubs in the United States.

A few years ago, American branches of Rotary were forced by anti-discrimination laws to open their doors to women. And under the international amendment, clubs around the world may now decide for themselves on the issue of female membership.

After a lengthy discussion at a meeting last week, most Wexford Rotary Club members opted to retain the ‘men only’ tradition.

Ít wasn’t unanimous, ’pointed out newly-elected Rotary President, Paddy Sheridan. ‘Some members wanted to open it, but a majority didn’t. And we can decide at any stage in future to change the rules and allow women in then instead,’ he said.

Rejecting any suggestion of sexism, the Club President said Rotary had been established as a male club in the same way as Soroptomists was set up for women.

Indeed, the Wexford Rotary Club often invites members of Soroptomists to their monthly business lunches with a guest speaker, he said.

‘I personally feel that the club would be better by remaining the way it is,’ he commented. ‘And the Soroptomists should remain as a women’s organisation. The two clubs complement each other.’