New: Women Denied Membership at Westerly Yacht Club Yet Again in 2016
GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle
New: Women Denied Membership at Westerly Yacht Club Yet Again in 2016
The club, which was officially formed in 1928, allows women to take part in club activities and hold leadership positions, but voted again Thursday night to maintain the males-only membership status quo.
People started posting on Facebook Thursday evening following the vote, nearly all in opposition to the club's decision.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I'm a daughter of a past commodore and BOD member, a grand daughter of a lifelong member, now divorced from someone who was a member, (became one because of my family), served on numerous committees during that time. My son has been a sea scout for years and a well respected and loved participant there. I was even employed there in the past as well.... and the list goes on," wrote Julie Lynn Cardinal on a public post. "And even I am given no consideration towards membership, because I'm a woman."
Club Members on Record
Chris Duhamel, who is a member of the Westerly Town Council and club member, said he is disappointed with the decision.
"A strong number wanted to open up the membership, but I think the members who voted against are comfortable with just having their wives and sons allowed in," said Duhamel.
"The Board of Directors felt the membership should be upgraded. [At the meeting] there was some history given that 'it's always been this way and it's worked well, and women have prominent roles' -- but that didn't work for me," said Duhamel. "I agreed with what the Board of Directors was saying, that the lack of allowing women to have their own membership doesn't bode well for the club."
Duhamel said that the continued policy of not allowing women to be full members has impacted the club's relationship with other organizations.
"When the Board of Directors presented it, they talked about how the by-laws would be changed, and how they came close in other elections," said Duhamel. "They also mentioned that because of our by-laws, it's impacted our relationship with other clubs, such as Stonington."
Stonington Yacht Club in Connecticut lists 70 yacht clubs as reciprocal clubs -- but not Westerly.
"I don't know that there's any restriction to bring it up [for a vote] again. I know they chose this month because most of the membership would attend, people are back at the club and not on vacations," said Duhamel.
"It's a family club, it's a great family atmosphere, it's not as it implies in the [current] by-laws, women do have prominent roles in how it operates, it's just unfortunate they're still not allowed to be full members," said Duhamel.
The club's Commodore, Scott Howard, did not return a call on Friday morning.