During Women’s History Month, I would like to acknowledge the leadership, service, and lasting impact of women in Rotary. Rotary was an all-male fellowship until 1987, when the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision opened membership to women. Trailblazers such as Dr. Sylvia Whitlock, Razia Jan, and Lyn Kenney exemplify the pioneering spirit of women bring to Rotary.
Today, women make up 34% of District 6250, and their leadership continues to strengthen Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self. Read on to learn more about the remarkable women who paved the way for women in Rotary.
March is Women’s History Month and Rotary extends the focus beyond International Women's Day (March 8) to recognize the leadership, service, and impact of women in Rotary worldwide. During my club visit, many of you have heard me talk about several women in Rotary who have left a lasting impression on me and have been a force for all women in Rotary.
For its first eight decades, Rotary International was an exclusive, all-male fellowship. The shift to inclusion officially began following the landmark 1987 U.S. Supreme Court decision, which opened the doors for women to bring their vision, leadership, and dedication to Rotary’s core motto: "Service Above Self." Today, Rotary is a global force where women not only participate but lead— progress we proudly see reflected right here at home, with District 6250 nowcomprised of 34% women. Together, they are shaping the organization's future and making profound impacts in communities worldwide.
Among the thousands of remarkable women who have shaped Rotary's modern era, three stand out for their distinct contributions: the pioneer who fought for inclusion, the changemaker empowering the next generation, and the historian preserving their legacy.
Dr. Sylvia Whitlock: The Pioneer
You cannot discuss women in Rotary without honoring Dr. Sylvia Whitlock. Her story is one of resilience and a steadfast belief in equality. Dr. Whitlock was a member of the Rotary Club of Duarte, California (in the eastern suburbs of Los Angeles)—a club whose charter was famously revoked by Rotary International in 1978 simply because they admitted women as members.
Unwilling to back down, the Duarte club took their fight through the legal system, culminating in the 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared Rotary clubs could not exclude women based on gender. Following this historic victory, Dr. Whitlock made history herself, becoming the very first female Rotary Club President. Her courage didn't just break the glass ceiling; it shattered it, paving the way for millions of women worldwide to serve and lead at every level of the organization.
Razia Jan: The Changemaker
While Dr. Whitlock opened the doors, women like Razia Jan demonstrated exactly why those doors needed to be opened. An Afghan-American Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Duxbury, Massachusetts, who sadly passed away last May, Jan dedicated her life to Rotary’s focus areas of basic education and peace-building.
Jan was the founder of Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation, which operates the Zabuli Education Center in rural Afghanistan. Despite facing immense cultural, physical, and political obstacles, her school has provided free, life-changing education to hundreds of Afghan girls. Through her unwavering determination, Jan exemplified the global reach of Rotary's humanitarian mission, proving that local action can spark monumental global change. Though we mourn her passing, her legacy and her work—widely recognized by the global community—continue to perfectly encapsulate the transformative power of female Rotarians in action.
Lyn Kenney: The Historian
As women continue to shape Rotary's future, Rotarian Lyn Kenney is ensuring their past is never forgotten. Kenney was one of the first six women to join the then 500-member Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin, in 1988, stepping into the organization during its earliest days of gender integration.
Today, she serves as a vital historian with the Rotary Global History Fellowship. Kenney has dedicated herself to documenting the stories of the many trailblazers who transformed the organization. Through her expansive project and presentation, The Mouse That Roared: The History of Women and Rotary Since 1911, she chronicles the relentless, 76-year struggle women faced to become official members. By interviewing the first female district governors and meticulously preserving this timeline, Kenney ensures that the legacy of these pioneering women is celebrated, reminding modern members that the fight for inclusion was long, hard-fought, and profoundly worth it.
A Legacy of Leadership
From the courtrooms of California to the classrooms of Afghanistan, and through the archives of history, women have fundamentally elevated Rotary International. Dr. Sylvia Whitlock, Razia Jan, and Lyn Kenney represent the past, present, and future of the organization. They prove that when benevolent organizations reflect the diversity of the world they serve, their capacity to do good becomes truly limitless.
Thank you to all the women in our district and beyond for all that you do in Rotary!
For more information on Women in Rotary, watch this youtube video created by Lyn Kenney: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAUkhsiyDqg
Unite for Good,
Michael Kloss
District Governor 2025-26
Rotary Club of Eau Claire WI