RGHF Rotary Global History

 

"Slowly, we seek to serve others, believing that history will encourage membership retention."

HISTORYGLOBALDISTRICTCLUBMISSINGLIBRARYHARRISPEACETRFPHILOSOPHYPRESIDENTSCONVENTIONSNEWCOMMITTEEJOINemailFORUMSEARCHRGHF RGHF is not responsible for Google translation errors

History Home SECTION HOME Women in Rotary  COORDINATOR NEEDED HISTORY CALENDAR
ABOUT 1st CLUB PRES. 1ST DG'S 1ST TRUSTEE 1ST DIRECTOR 1ST PRESIDENT
LEGAL ISSUES EARLY HISTORY FAMOUS WOMEN ROTARY ANN JEAN THOMSON HARRIS TIMELINE
Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland  DISCUSSION UPDATES WHAT'S NEW?

In his 1935 book, a text on Rotary, "This Rotarian Age," Harris devoted two pages to the subject of women in business as well women and Rotary and their attempt to form women's clubs. It was in the Chapter "The Challenge," which is also covered in three issues of "What Paul Harris Said" for September 22, 29 and October 6 2002 that Harris wrote the following.

“It is heartening also to know that the wives, daughters and mothers of Rotarians in many cities, impressed with the value of Rotary have organized clubs of their own and are doing effective service in charitable enterprises. The women’s movement has gained greatest momentum in Great Britain where their clubs, nearly one hundred in number, have already established a national unit which is doing extension work in British dominions.

The writer is convinced that women who can spare the time from family affairs, need contacts with other women more than men need increased opportunities to meet their fellows. Business provides men with contacts and also with a form of discipline of which women, by reason of their sheltered lives, are deprived. If women are more critical then men, it is because they have had less experience with their kind. Inexperienced men are suspicious and difficult to deal with, while women whom circumstances have compelled to enter the field of business generally become less suspicious, broader in their outlook and more understanding.

Considerable effort has been made by business and professional women to have the doors of Rotary opened to them. Lady Astor, appearing before a Rotary conference in Great Britain in their behalf, made her usual strong appeal. While the business and professional women have been unsuccessful in their efforts to gain admission to Rotary, they have not been unsuccessful in their efforts to embrace Rotary principles. They now have several strong and growing organizations of their own.

The writer hopes that the organizations of the Rotary type now in existence will increase until the time arrives when there will be clubs for all business and professional men and women and youths who are imbued with the ideal of service.” Paul P. Harris, Pages 133-134 from  “This Rotarian Age”

In this section, Harris also discussed the importance of the exclusive nature of our classification system, his support of multiple clubs in larger communities (still a subject of controversy,) other clubs (Kiwanis, Lions) and youth organizations.  His discussion of women was a logical continuation of that line of thinking and is very supportive of their position given the time. 
 

Become a member of Rotary Global History for only $30 USD. Dues support internet, membership services, and convention costs. Click here to join!

RGHF Disclaimer  Privacy Policy  Usage Agreement

The contents of this website, our electronic features and newsletters have been researched, collected, compiled, and written by Rotarians.

RGHF Mission: As an effort to serve others, RGHF accumulates and preserves the complete history, values and philosophy of the Rotary movement, as well as encourages others to do the same at every level of the Rotary movement, and publishes those histories, values and philosophies on the internet, as well as other forms of media as expedient. 17 March 2003, amended 20 December 2007, Rotary Global History Board of Directors.

This fellowship is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International, but is affiliated with individual Rotary districts, clubs, other Rotary organizations and enjoys the support of Rotarians, clubs, districts, and zones world-wide. The views and opinions expressed on this website are not necessarily the collective views and opinions of Rotary International or all Rotarians. Rotary International is not responsible for any content and accepts no liability therefore. © 2000-2008 RGHF (Rotary Global History)