The Garrick Club, one of London’s most exclusive private members’ clubs, has ended its 193-year-old male-only membership policy by voting to allow women to join, in a landmark decision signalling a shift towards inclusivity.
The Garrick Club in London, a prestigious private members’ club founded in 1831, has voted to allow female members for the first time in its 193-year history. The decision marks a significant shift for the club, which has been an exclusive enclave for men since its establishment.
Following a vote by the club’s members, nearly 60% of whom supported the change, the decision was made amidst increasing pressures and public debates over gender equality within private clubs. High-profile members, including politicians and celebrities, had faced criticism over the club’s male-only policy. Notably, the list of members included known figures like deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden, MI6 head Richard Moore, actors Matthew Macfadyen, Benedict Cumberbatch, and comedian Stephen Fry.
Several women, including actress Juliet Stevenson, and notable figures such as Dame Mary Beard and former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, are set to be nominated for membership. However, despite the decision, the intricacies of the club’s nomination and approval process mean that the inclusion of women might not result in an immediate influx of female members.
The Garrick Club, historically a hub for arts enthusiasts with collections and events centred around theatrical arts, was originally created as a social space for upper-class men under the patronage of the Duke of Sussex. It boasts a rich membership history that includes literary giants like Charles Dickens and H.G. Wells. The club’s recent move is seen as a step toward modernizing its traditions and opening up its exclusive social milieu to a wider, gender-inclusive membership base.
