December 2, 2020 – I hosted a Zoom Meeting with guest speaker Sylvia Whitlock speaking to District 5340 Leadership. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Whitlock
In 1987, Whitlock became president of the Rotary Club of Duarte making her the first woman to hold such a position within Rotary International. The chapter’s charter had previously been revoked in 1978 after they admitted women which was against Rotary International policy. The Duarte club filed suit in the California courts, claiming that Rotary Clubs are business establishments subject to regulation under California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which bans discrimination based on race, gender, religion or ethnic origin. Rotary International appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The United States Supreme Court, on 4 May 1987, confirmed the Californian decision supporting women, in the case Board of Directors, Rotary International v. Rotary Club of Duarte. Rotary International removed the gender requirements from its requirements for club charters.
Sadly, Sylvia joined the meeting 30 minutes late and we had under 30 attendees. PDG Scott Carr bridged the meeting by showing a 2018 video of her from the Southwest PETS until Sylvia joined the meeting.
My Journey in Rotary 