In 1987, women petitioned to join service clubs. Rotary International took on the fight all the way to the Supreme Court and lost. A decision was made that women could not be excluded from these austere groups.
Several weeks ahead of the decision, at its 1987 convention, Optimist International voted to allow women to join. I've heard stories about how the motion failed, and failed, and failed, only to be brought up again and passed at the business session that, by some accounts, ran as late as 2:00 in the morning.
On International Women's Day 2017, I salute those who fought to do what was right and thank you for the opportunity to serve as an Optimist Volunteer.
We love stories about your Optimist Club. Please tell us one and we'll add it to the website.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Popular Posts
-
“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your ...
-
On February 4, Optimist International encourages all Optimist Clubs and Optimist Club members to tell the world that they are proud to be an...
-
The results are in from the PNW District Optimist International Junior Golf Championships qualifying tournament, US division. The top score...
-
Click to enlarge and print We are forty days into a new administrative year for Optimist Clubs and Optimist International. By now, your...