Garrick Club Votes to Admit Women, Ending 193-Year Male-Only Tradition

Members of the exclusive all-male Garrick Club in London, England, have made a historic decision by voting to allow women to join the institution after a 193-year tradition of exclusion. The vote marks a significant shift in the club’s longstanding policy.

The vote took place following a two-hour confidential debate near the club’s headquarters in central London. This decision comes amidst heightened scrutiny following the publication of the club’s membership list by the U.K.’s Guardian newspaper, revealing prominent figures like King Charles III, the head of MI6, and several high-profile politicians and actors.

The Garrick Club, named after the 18th-century actor David Garrick, was established in 1831 with a mission to bring together actors and educated men. Over the years, it has grown to over 1,300 members, predominantly white and aged over 50, as per the disclosed membership list.

Actress Juliet Stevenson expressed her interest in becoming a member of the Garrick Club following the landmark decision. Stevenson highlighted the importance of inclusivity in a club that has traditionally catered to the arts and theatre communities, emphasizing the need for diverse perspectives and exchanges of ideas.

Notable supporters of the inclusion of women in the club include actor Stephen Fry, journalist James Naughtie, and former culture minister Lord Vaizey. The club’s gradual evolution reflects a broader trend of elite institutions reevaluating their exclusivity and diversity policies in response to societal changes.

In recent years, private members’ clubs in Britain, including the infamous Oxford University Bullingdon Club, have faced criticism for their exclusive and often controversial practices. The move to admit women into the Garrick Club represents a significant step towards greater inclusivity and gender equality in such traditionally male-dominated spaces.