Historic US women's rights body picks Scot as its first male member

The National Council of Women of the United States, which fought to secure women the vote, equal pay and to roll back racism, has appointed its first male member - and he's a Scot.

Jack Irvine, executive chairman of PR firm Media House, was previously the editor of the Scottish Sun, which still features naked women on its Page 3.

Mr Irvine joins the illustrious company of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, Julia Ward Howe, who penned the lyrics to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Sojourner Truth, the first black suffragette.

Mr Irvine has been recognised by Mary Singletary, the current president, for his work in revitalising the organisation, which was founded in 1888.

Today the NCW/US has hundreds of members and is an affiliate of the United Nations, but is keen to expand and become more international in outlook. In recent years Media House staff have advised the organisation and assisted in organising its inaugural Humanitarian Award - which went to Anne Gloag, the Scottish philanthropist and co-founder of Stagecoach, for her work with Mercy Ships.

The award is named after Susan B Anthony, a founding member of NCW/US, a human rights pioneer and the first woman to appear on a US coin.

Yesterday Mr Irvine said: "When you realise the history of the organisation you can understand what an honour it was for me to be asked (to join], especially after having worked with lots of strong, opinionated women in newsrooms."