San Marino City Club Opens Membership to Women

On the cusp of a new millennium, the San Marino City Club voted this week to update one of its timeworn bylaws and open membership to an excluded group of residents: women.

For 73 years, only men were welcomed as members of the vaunted social club in this quiet bastion of conservatism and wealth.

Meeting in a middle school cafeteria, they discussed local affairs. They played golf and tennis, and hosted local and big-name speakers such as former state Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren. And as times changed and other clubs around the country began to permit female members, the San Marino club held its ground, arguing that women had their own social clubs.

That era ended Tuesday, when members voted 98-38 to change the word “man” to “person” in their bylaws.

“The time was right,” said San Marino Mayor Betty Brown, who added that she may seek membership. But she said: “I think in a private social setting men are entitled to have their own clubs.”

Her husband, Jack, who has been a member since 1982 and voted for the change, said he doubts many women will join.

“It sure as hell is not a momentous occasion for the people of San Marino,” he said.

But June Cowgill, a bank vice president who had lived in San Marino for 27 years, disagrees.

“I think it’s wonderful for San Marino,” she said. “When I first heard that women were not allowed in the club, I was shocked that I was living in a community that was so backward.”

Some women argued that the San Marino City Club was not simply a social group but a venue where power brokers networked and discussed weighty issues. Feminist groups railed against the club’s exclusivity, saying it was a barrier for professional women.

Cowgill brought undesired attention to the issue in 1998, when she confronted Lungren during his speech. During a question period, Cowgill asked if he “knew he was speaking to a crowd that discriminates against women.” She was resoundingly booed.

Now people such as attorney and former San Marino Mayor Bernard LeSage are cheering the change. LeSage quit the club several years ago because it would not permit women and once, as mayor, voted to bar it from using a fire station to meet.

“It’s one thing to meet at your house if you want to get together on a discriminatory basis,” he said. “But you can’t use a public facility.”

LeSage said the club often had city officials speak at meetings. Though he had been a club member for more than 15 years, LeSage realized that its exclusivity was tarnishing the city’s image.

City Club President Fritz Seares said the new board simply decided that it was time to bring the issue to a vote. Currently, there are no pending applications from women, he said.

“I think times change and we have more and more women in the workplace and represented in the city and school district,” said Seares.

He acknowledged that the club’s exclusivity may have deterred potential members. The club is down on membership, with 430 members out of a maximum of 550.

Member Paul Crowley said the decision was made because the club was planning to offer membership to men who work but do not live in San Marino, a group that was previously ineligible as well.

He said club leaders were worried that by expanding with only new men, they were setting themselves up for potential litigation.

Some veteran club members are displeased by the decision.

“There are half a dozen clubs especially designated for women,” said one 70-year-old member, who asked that his name be withheld. “Now, there’s not one for men. I don’t like it.”