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The RI Board withdrew the charter of that club for violation of the RI constitution. The club brought suit against RI claiming a violation of a state civil rights law that prevents discrimination of any form in business establishments or public accommodations. The appeals court and the California Supreme Court supported the Duarte position that Rotary could not remove the club’s charter merely for inducting women into the club. The United States Supreme Court upheld the California court indicating that Rotary clubs do have a “business purpose” and are in some ways public-type organizations.

This action in 1987 allowed women to become Rotarians in any jurisdiction having similar “public accommodation” statutes.

The RI constitutional change was made at the 1989 Council on Legislation, with a vote to eliminate the “male only” provision for all of Rotary. Since that time, women have become members and leaders of clubs and districts throughout the world.

Rotary Ann

In many Rotary clubs throughout the world, wives of male members have been affectionately called “Rotary Anns?’

This designation was never one of disparagement, but rather grew out of an interesting historical occasion.

The year was 1914 when San Francisco Rotarians boarded a special train to attend the Rotary Convention being held in Houston. In those days, few wives attended Rotary events, and until the train stopped in Los Angeles, the only woman aboard was the wife of Rotarian Bru Brunnier.

As the train picked up additional convention-bound delegates, Mrs. Ann Brunnier was introduced as the Rotarian’s Ann.

This title soon became “Rotary Ann?’ Since the clubs of the West were inviting the Rotarians to hold their next convention in San Francisco, a number of songs and stunts were organized that would be performed in Houston. One of the Rotarians wrote a “Rotary Ann” chant. On the train’s arrival at the Houston depot, a delegation greeted the West Coast Rotarians. One of the greeters was Guy Gundaker of Philadelphia, whose wife was also named Ann.

During the rousing demonstration, someone started the Rotary Ann chant. The two petite ladies, Ann Brunnier and Ann Gundaker, were hoisted to the men’s shoulders and paraded about the hall. The group loved the title iven to the two women named Ann. Immediately, the same term of endearment was used for all of the wives in attendance.

Guy Gundaker became president of Rotary International in 1923 and H. J. Brunnier was elected president in 1952. Thus, each of the two original Rotary Anns became the “first lady of Rotary International".

Ann Brunnier Ann Gundaker