Since that time many famous and former beloved starts from Hollywood have been called out for a variety of actions against women (mostly). During the past two years the movement as bred offshoot movements focusing on not only sexual and physical violence, but also pointing out that women in Hollywood make far less than their male counterparts. Now the movement has begun to make inroads to traditional holiday celebrations.
The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in New York puts on the annual dinner before the world famous St. Patrick's Day parade in Manhattan. This annual dinner is a charity fundraiser and since its inception shortly after the American Revolution, it has been exclusive to males. That is changing this year. For the first time in 235 years the Society is inviting the wives, daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts, nieces, female cousins, and colleagues of their members to the dinner.
The Society was started as a fraternal organization by Irish immigrants and while it is inviting women to the fundraiser, it is unknown if they will allow women to become members as other Friendly Irish societies have begun doing.
This raises an interesting question regarding gender exclusivity in other organizations. Should the Boy Scouts of American be all male? Yes there are Girls Scouts, but these are very different organizations in practice. Should we still have all male schools (or all female schools)? Right in our own backyard, the Pawtuxet Athletic Club down in the Village is a male only private club. Women are allowed in the building with a male member. But on Sundays they are not allowed on property until 2pm.
Are these types of organizations still needed?
Thoughts?
. This hashtag, soon to be movement, was first put forth by a social activist by the name of Tarana Burke