Yacht club makes historic change to men-only policy

Published July 14, 2016

A Rhode Island yacht club is making a historic change to its men-only policy.

Westerly Yacht Club members voted Wednesday night to change the policy at the nearly century-old club and allow women as full members. It passed by a 79 percent margin, satisfying a two-thirds majority requirement as required by club bylaws.

This was the second vote within about a month.

In June, members voted to uphold the policy, but decided to reconsider after dealing with fallout from their decision. At least one event scheduled to take place there was canceled, and a local hospital said it wouldn't book future events there.

The old policy allowed wives as associate members, but they couldn't vote. Women who were not married to a male member couldn't join, even as associate members.

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