Women in Rotary

Efforts to include women in Rotary have been going on since Rotary’s inception.  In the early 1910s, women were not allowed to become members of Rotary.  They did however, play a quiet and supporting role to the clubs in which their husbands were members.  Some women at this time attempted to form clubs based on the Rotary Club Idea.   These clubs were composed of wives, daughters, sisters and mothers of Rotarians.  However, the Rotary International Board of Directors in 1918, as in many other years, decreed it did not favor the establishment or organizations of women similar to Rotary.   Local clubs were discouraged from encouraging the formation these separate clubs.  Whether or not women should be allowed as members, was an argument that would continue in the Untied States until 1987 when the United States Supreme Court ruled in a 7-0 decision against Rotary International.

A picture of our Club’s first Rotary picnic which can be found our website shows the men and their wives gathered for a group photo.  From what I understand, the men went up the day before to camp and cook the meal.  I think the women look a little happier in the picture.  Not only did they have the opportunity to dress in their finest, they also didn’t have to do the cooking that day!

Marilyn Casner, our Club Pianist, began playing for our Club in 1973, fourteen years before women were admitted.  She laughed when I asked her about being the only female in a room of men.  She told me that she sensed they resented it even on special occasions because they had to behave themselves. 

Dee Rodekohr was one of the first women to join the club, though she wasn’t particularly interested in Rotary.  “Women really weren’t part of that “scene’. “ She reported, “I was aware of it through my boss, Senator Al Simpson, who had been very active in the Cody club and there were times when we would schedule him to speak to a Rotary club.  After the "edict" came down that women had to be accepted, Fred Baggs and former member Jack Gage asked me to consider joining the club as one of the first women.  I gave it much thought and even consulted with the Senator as I didn't want to cause problems for him if I entered into this unchartered territory.  In his own colorful way, he suggested that I join in the "fray", so I did in 1988.” 

I asked her why she has continued her membership.  She gladly replied, “I have continued my membership all of these years because it has been a great source of enjoyment for me, along with educational.  I found it to be very beneficial professionally.  It can't help but be beneficial when the club membership is comprised of such diverse and unique individuals who have so much to offer.  And the friends that I have made along the way -- that would not have happened if it weren't for Rotary.  My involvement has comprised of being a board member along with being club secretary for 12 years.  I can't imagine my professional and personal life being complete without Rotary.  I have two children that are Cheyenne Rotarians and have been for quite a long time.  Bob has been a member since 2007 and daughter Karen Wheeler has been a member since 2000.  So my love of Rotary has rubbed off on family members as well.”