Today, March 8th is International Women’s Day. Rotary International appears to be celebrating in two positive ways. Many Club’s are holding a breakfast to celebrate the event.
A Google/Bing search will reveal that such events are occurring across much of the World. Rotary International held it’s event in conjunction with the World Bank on March 7th.
Simultaneously, at Twitter.com Rotary is taking part in the #WomenInspire promotion.
So to celebrate, I am highlighting that one woman who all Rotarians, especially Women should honour. Namely, the ONE woman in THIS picture.
That woman is Dean Rohrs, a Canadian. She is my #WomenInspire. Make her yours too. Send a message via this social media platform or use Twitter to thank Dean. She is also our Vice-President.
Ironically, this picture came through as part of the ROTI Breadbasket posted to FaceBook yesterday, March 6, 2018. Its timing could not have been worse or better depending on your viewpoint.
Read the comment from Laile E. Fairburn “One woman. Terrible” Says it all, especially considering where we have been since 2013.
2018 is the 30th anniversary of Women in Rotary; WE ARE GOING BACKWARDS.
Check out is data from a 2015 report courtesy of a District:
I hate to rain on the parade. However, there is no other conclusion but to state that Rotary is still practising systemic discrimination against women who seek to be president of the organisation.
Individual Rotarians do not want to be so accused but as long as the present process of nominations is in place, Rotary cannot and will not elect a woman as president. It is a mathematical impossibility.
The glass ceiling is simply too thick, too remote and impenetrable without a conscious decision to once-and-for-all do the honourable thing and for one year only accept nominations from one of the past women directors. It is time that we accept that this is even a form of sexual violence and that #Metoo has a place at this table among some men. We need a woman who when we write #WomenInspire we can say to our daughters and granddaughters, “You too can one day be president of Rotary International and find a woman’s portrait at the Evanston headquarters.” It is simply time to have a woman as a president.
March 8, 2018 at 9:20 am
“The glass ceiling is simply too thick, too remote and impenetrable without a conscious decision.”
If you accept the view that any change is likely to evolve from bottom up, our DG succession offers only long term hope. We had a female DG in 2016-2017 and three more are in line for 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.
I wonder how the gender gap is reflected on the COL? We do need something more immediate than that suggested by evolution
March 8, 2018 at 6:35 pm
Yes. You have highlighted a statistic John. However as the only woman on the Board I cannot agree fully with your comments. In many ways it is not the glass ceiling but the Frozen Middle Ground. Rotarians who have been a member for over 10 years. The senior leaders embrace women at all levels. Its the long time Rotarians in clubs that cannot change. Of course I am generalizing. Directors are chosen by a nominating committee appointed by the districts and unless women are prepared to put their names forward they will never be elected. The same stands true for a female RI President. Where you are correct is the time frame and experience one has to rack up to become eligible. I long for the day when we stop talking about gender equity and just get on with it as Rotarians. I always ask those that raise the subject – so – what have you done about it? Encouraged women to take on the leadership roles or as a woman put uour name forward for these roles? We need to stop talking and do sonething positive about it.
March 8, 2018 at 6:49 pm
Dean, thank you for the thoughtful reply. I like your term “Frozen middle ground”. I think it represents an important idea that needs addressing or at least identifying and articulating more fully. I too would like to get “on with it”. Can you see the men of the next nominating committee choosing to agree yes it is time for a woman or all the men who are eligible to be nominated deciding to forego the privilege for a year and thereby forcing the men of the nominating committee to choose among the women who put their name forward?
March 11, 2018 at 2:57 am
For the first 85 years, Rotary existed without women.
Today I am pleased to notice many very capable women active in Rotary and I am convinced they will find adequate positions in Rotary leadership functions. Inevitably women will become Rotary Directors and sooner or later even RI Presidents.
But why rush it?
Aren’t there more important issues within Rotary than gender discussions?
March 11, 2018 at 6:15 am
Bernard, after 30 years how dare you accuse women of rushing it. They have been most patient. It is time, not another 30 years from now.
March 12, 2018 at 1:32 am
It is this very attitude Bernhard that creates the “frozen middle ground” ‼️ … I am guessing you have been a Rotarian for more that 10 years … What have you done to support women in Rotary? …. or have you been busy doing ” more important things”
March 11, 2018 at 4:33 pm
It really is time we woke up to the fact that we are not rushing it. It is a snail’s pace movement to put women into senior roles. I am in a club in Adelaide, Australia which is now almost 50% female and much better for it.
If the criteria for an RI President’s role is too tough, it needs to change. We continue to labour with membership and yet we do not change where it counts. We have had many great RI Presidents but we need vibrant young people at the top. With all due respect it is time for a female RI President and ideally one in her 50s at the very least.
March 12, 2018 at 1:46 am
Can anything be “too tough” for a woman?
March 11, 2018 at 6:36 pm
In my years as a Rotarian I have never seen a woman discouraged or barred from assuming a Rotary leadership position. The clubs I’ve belonged to have all had dynamic female leaders, which transfers up to the District level. FINDING women to serve is sometimes tough – most likely because capable women tend to be overburdened. In short, when we find a good one, we tend to “use her up” instead of helping to promote more opportunities for women who may not yet have found their footing.
March 12, 2018 at 1:41 am
I couldn’t agree more!
March 12, 2018 at 1:45 am
A ticking time bomb methinks … The attitude of some “brothers” of a certain age hold back Rotary and RI / RIBI need to bite the bullet with these staunchly men only clubs and withdraw their charter when they refuse women.
Also, we should not allow members to become a DG if they clearly display mysoginy … Our current DG, when a DGE told me (when I was district membership chair) not to sent a local businesswoman enquiry to his all male club and for me to “send her to the other two in the town”
I was outraged, but because the woman withdrew, due to personal family challenges at the time, no further action was possible … Other than to highlight it!
He and his club have a “brotherhood” and just will not accept women … this is wrong and perpetuates the issue.
How often is this seen and ignored!
March 12, 2018 at 2:07 am
Many people find it wrong, if clubs don’t invite women to join.
I agree with those!
However, I wonder if clubs should not be left to decide for themselves, how they want to live and how they want to organize themselves.
There is never anything wrong with tolerating different viewpoints.
March 12, 2018 at 7:44 pm
There are many female members of Rotary Clubs in the Philippines and recently we have had three female Governors. However there are still
several all male clubs and even several all female clubs.
Ron Nethercutt
March 28, 2018 at 5:32 pm
I feel we have an obligation to turn this around. I am normally not keen on affirmative action, but feel given we actively kept women out of Rotary for over 80 years (some clubs still do) we have to right this historic wrong. Here is a blog I posted last year on this matter:
http://d9520pulse.blogspot.com.au/2017/07/gender-diversity-are-we-fair-dinkum.html
March 29, 2018 at 8:08 pm
About 10 -15 years will change a lot about Rotary in general. 🙂
March 29, 2018 at 11:19 pm
the issue of gender balance is very tricky on all levels.
In Melbourne Australia we have tackled the issue that we need to spread the word to the corporate world that women are welcome to join Rotary and dispel the myth.
We have done this by holding a Women in Rotary’s International Women’s Day Breakfast for the past 7 years with reaching over 9,000 men and women as we showcase Rotary whilst holding a Q&A men and women panel discussing how to make the work place more equitable.
This has been very successful, with many countries following suit.
One idea that will help Rotary to be seen as more balanced having a “ROTARY PANEL PLEDGE “. All panels ( no matter how big or small) always has representatives of both males and females. ( This is happening amongst our major CEO in the corporate world, in Australia ).. and I think something for Rotary to consider. … it is simple and women will see women in leadership positions which will encourage and give them confidence to step up also.
Please consider ROTARY PANEL PLEDGE.
March 31, 2018 at 9:52 pm
I’m starting to think that many women prefer the exclusive company of women and no matter what we do there will always be this imbalance. Our club is 50/50!men and women so it’s taken me awhile to think outside of our club which must be an exception