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Map showing location of Duarte California SYLVIA WHITLOCK spoke to us by hybrid Zoom from Duarte, California This story began in 1976 when the superintendent of a local school, a member of the Rotary Club of Duarte, sought to bring women into the local Rotary club. When the District Governor found about this plan, he did not pass the 4WayTest. Some members of the club resigned. The backlash from RI began; even wives of Rotarians objected on the basis that women in a Rotary club would engage in elicit relations with men in the club (of course this would be unprofessional and since Rotarians are business and professional people following the 4 Way Test, it seemed reasonable for women to be members). After continuing with women members in the Rotary Club of Duarte, the club renamed itself the Ex-Rotary Club of Duarte and remained as such for 11 years. Above: Sylvia with the Ex-Rotary Club of Duarte badge An attorney from another local Rotary Club helped the paradigm shift to allowing women into Rotary membership. (Taken from Wikipedia) 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 The chapter's charter had previously been revoked in 1978 after they violated Rotary International policy by admitting women. 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, a law that bans discrimination based on race, gender, religion or ethnic origin. Rotary International appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. On May 4, 1987, the United States Supreme Court confirmed the Californian decision supporting women, in the case Board of Directors, Rotary International v. Rotary Club of Duarte. After the ruling, Rotary International ended their policy of gender discrimination. (Back to Editors comments) Sylvia recalled the day on 4May1987 after the ruling when a flood of media showed up at the school she was working in. Unprepared for the attention, when she was asked “How were you voted to be President of the local club?”, she replied in cliché fashion “I must have missed the meeting”. Quickly she learned to cope with capricious media by being more serious with her answers. There were comments like “Now that women are members, there will be better food at meetings”. Naturally, Sylvia interpreted that as a sexist comment. When she was a housewife, she was visited by a Filter Queen salesman. She did not buy the product, but the salesmen explained that she if she put 25cents in a Filter Queen “piggy bank” each day, she could pay for the vacuum cleaner. She has used that sales method for several fundraising events. She spoke of the following project in India http://paceuniversal.org/ . She asked us to prepare an “elevator speech” about why a person should become a Rotarian. She found her work with youth to be the most satisfying. She closed by asking us as Rotarians to promote happiness, cleanliness, self -sustaining systems, and peace. Q&A Bill Horn asked what the communications with RI was like for the Rotary Club of Duarte in the 11 years before 4May1987. She said they got no support from RI and communication with them was only by way of a lawyer. Barbara said this was a memorable foray into Diversity Equity and Inclusion. She appreciated Sylvia’s humour. Dr. Whitlock learned that we are not the Rotary Club in Virgin Islands and that we are in Ontario, Canada, thanked us, and went off to her next meeting. Biography of Sylvia Whitlock District Governor, 2012-2013 Born in New York City Educated through High School in Kingston, Jamaica International baccalaureate from Cambridge University, England B.A. Psychology – Hunter College of the City University of New York M.A. – Education, Cal Poly, Pomona PH. D. Education – Claremont Graduate School M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy – Azusa Pacific University California State Teaching and Administrative Credentials Licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy by Board of Behavioral Sciences, California Licensed Supervisor – Marriage and Family Therapy Joined Ex-Rotary Club of Duarte in 1982 Held every office at club level First Woman President worldwide, in Rotary International Made up at clubs in England, Scotland, the Caribbean, Australia, South Africa, India Chaired Four-Way Test Speech competition for 6 years Chaired Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee for 6 years Served on District Finance Committee Chaired Simplified Grant Program Served as Assistant Governor Recipient of Rotary Foundation District Service Award Recipient of Sylvia Whitlock award, established and presented at the 2017 International Convention Participated in NIDS, established AIDS clinic in Jamaica, supported orphanage in Mexico, sank wells in Nigeria, raised almost $90,000. for Education for Girls in India Is multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor and Member of the Bequest Society, and Major Donor District Governor 2012-2013 Has spoken at more than 100 District Conferences, numerous clubs in the United States and overseas, Institutes and Zone events Addressed all 530 incoming governors at 2013 International Assembly Honorary Member of Rotary Club of Calcutta Metropolitan, Chicago One, Duarte Rotary Other community activities and awards (past and present) Member of the Rotary Club of Claremont, CA Member of the Board of Spanish Trails Girl Scout Council Recorder for Blind and Dyslexic Commission Member at Tri-City Mental Health Authority Trainer in Mental Health First Aid Volunteer at Pomona Valley Hospital Chair of Pastor Parish Relations Council at Trinity U.M. church Member and Past President of Beta Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International AFRAM GLOBAL Villager Award, 2019 UNA Global Citizen Award 2013 Academic Activities Chair of Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation Teams Member of California State Committee on Credentials at California State Department of Education (2004-2010) Distinguished Alumna at Cal Poly, Pomona NAACP Woman of the Year Hall of Fame, Hunter College, CUNY. 2021 Sylvia had three adult children, one of whom is Human Resources Assistant at University of California, Berkeley. She considers raising her children the most satisfying and enjoyable job she has ever had, almost comparable to enjoying her first grandson, and now a new granddaughter and another grandson. Likes tennis, the Stanford Cardinals Football Team, the Seahawks, the Golden state Warriors, especially Steph Curry, and the Los Angeles Angels. She is also a world traveler. July 2021 Announcements (by Trish Shouldice) Next week: Lori Fitzgerald manager of the Inn, St Thomas's homeless shelter, definitely worth your consideration. By Hybrid Zoom if requested. Trudy has contacted Horton Market staff and our club could help every other week at the Market this season and collect donations for a different cause each week. Trudy will find out if the Railway City Club wants to take a turn at the market every second week. Trudy has spoken for a free booth for the Interactors and our Club at the Home Show. Barbara, Mary, Nancy and Trish will coordinate people for the event and decide whether to have mini cookies as an enticement. Trudy will set up but cannot attend due to a prior commitment. 50/50 Stew won the draw. Fine Master Mark Holmes did a Fine job today, asking us questions, some of which follow: What year did the Rotary Club of St. Thomas begin? 1950 What year was the St. Thomas Railway City Rotary Club chartered? 2014 What District are we a part of? 6330 How many Districts are there world wide? 535 What is our Vision Statement? No one knew we even had a club statement ????? Happy Finns Maggie – her sister’s birthday Cindy – her move happens tomorrow and Dr. Whitlock’s presentation Nancy – Dr. Whitlock, company for the past 3 weeks was enjoyable Trish – Dr. Whitlock, daughter Rosalyn moves to their next home soon Mary – Dr. Whitlock, new vehicle Barb – Dr. Whitlock, visit to brother in Kingston Bill – Dr. Whitlock, Stew juggling media so that everyone on Zoom can hear speaker and participants in-person can hear those on line Stew – Dr. Whitlock Trudy – Dr. Whitlock, girls weekend away Gerry – Dr. Whitlock, great golfing with “Canadian club” Catharine – Son from Medicine Hat visiting in Florida, leaving Florida for home next Wednesday The secret greeter today was Mary Nancy volunteered for next week’s Fine Master |
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