London’s famous Garrick Club votes to allow women, nearly 200 years after it was founded

A London members club formed in 1831 has voted to let women join for the first time, after coming under scrutiny for its exclusionary policy in recent weeks.

A London members club formed in 1831 has voted to let women join for the first time, after coming under scrutiny for its exclusionary policy in recent weeks. Members of the Garrick Club, in London’s West End, gathered Tuesday to debate admitting women to the club, the BBC and the Guardian reported. A vote among almost 1,000 members passed by 60% to 40%, according to the Guardian, which sparked discussion of the club’s men-only policy when it published a list of dozens of members, including influential figures from the British establishment, on March 18. King Charles III is one notable member, according to the paper, as are dozens of lawmakers, leading lawyers and theater directors, producers and actors, the majority of whom are White and aged over 50. The publication of the list shone a spotlight on how women continued to be excluded, leading to the resignation of a handful of members and threats from others that they, too, would leave if women were not admitted. Despite the vote, it may be some time before the first woman joins: The admissions process involves nominations by existing members and discussions among committee members, who are able to blackball anyone considered unsuitable.