New York haven for Scots calls time on sexism

But yesterday, in an historic amendment to the constitution, the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York agreed to admit women as members for the first time.

The move comes after the Caledonian Club in Belgravia, London, known as the Scottish Embassy, also agreed to allow women to be full members.

Robert Ker, president of the New York society, said: "We were faced with a wonderful opportunity to revitalise ourselves. For over a year the board of managers studied the issue, soliciting the views of members and non-members and examining the society's charitable roles.

"The admission of women was difficult to embrace for some of our members, who were comfortable with the society's all-male tradition. Spirited debate was part of the dialogue, but in the end the voting was carried out in a fair and democratic fashion and the overwhelming majority has now spoken.

"Ultimately, we are confident that the society's charitable and social mission will not only be bolstered by the admission of women but also by the participation of many gentlemen who were inhibited to join an all-male organisation."

Mr Ker, the 97th president of the society, sparked the revolution earlier this year when he proposed that long-time bene-factor Margaret McMillan, 91, should become a full member.

In a memo sent to the society's 500-plus members, Mr Ker called the move a "possible watershed event" and stated: "I personally believe that the time has come to admit women to our membership."

The society, which provides charitable support to Scots and their descendants, was founded in 1756 and is one of the oldest not-for-profit organisations in the US.

Its decision to admit women comes ten days after the Caledonian Club announced it was planning its own break with tradition. Chairman Ranald Munro said: "The Caledonian Club now looks forward to welcoming ladies as full members and we believe this move will see an increase in applications for membership from both sexes".